The experts would be spurred on by the desire to be first with an attribution—but held back by the fear of looking foolish.

这些专家将会为争取成为第一个为此做出贡献的人而努力，但也会因为担心自己看起来很蠢而退缩。

youdao

I wanted to tell him the truth, but something held me back.

我本想告诉他真实情况，但又开不了口。

《牛津词典》

She wantd to find a job, but her husband held her back.

她要找个职业，但她丈夫拉她的后腿。

《新英汉大辞典》

For so long, Brazil was a nation brimming with potential but held back by politics, both at home and abroad.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks to the People of Brazil

It was earmarked for inclusion in a 2001 lease sale but held back after objections from Floridians--an important presidential voting bloc.

FORBES: Open the Spigots

Out at the Wilma Flor school we found teachers clearly wanting to do better but held back, ironically, by a lack of teaching for themselves.

BBC: Booming Brazil held back by education gap