contener las lágrimas

hold back tears

→ contener

phrase Rare #43,553

hold back tears Used when someone tries not to cry or tries to stop tears from falling. The verb contener literally means “to contain” or “to hold back.”

SP: Intenté contener las lágrimas durante la película.

EN: I tried to hold back my tears during the movie.

No es mejor actor el que llora, sino el que lucha por contener las lágrimas.

The better actor isn’t the one who cries, but the one who struggles to hold back the tears.

— Dolor y gloria (2019)

Tom no pudo contener las lágrimas.

Tom couldn't hold back his tears.

No pude contener las lágrimas.

I couldn't hold back the tears.

No podía contener las lágrimas.

I couldn't hold back the tears.

Él canta tan bien que es imposible contener las lágrimas.

He sings so beautifully that it's impossible to hold back the tears.