hold back one’s tears
Elle ne put retenir ses larmes.
She couldn't hold back her tears.
Elle n'a pas pu retenir ses larmes.
She couldn't hold back her tears.
Lui, il lutte pour retenir ses larmes.
He’s struggling to hold back his tears.
— Douleur et gloire (2019)
Il n'a pas pu retenir ses larmes.
He couldn't hold back his tears.
Il essaya de retenir ses larmes.
He tried to hold back his tears.
Mary était incapable de retenir ses larmes.
Mary was unable to hold back her tears.