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》

I wanted to tell her that I would buy her another dress or that she could depend on me for anything but I held back as it was not going to sound right.

我想要对她说我会给她再买一件，或者她的任何事情都可以依靠我，但是，我忍住了没说，因为我觉得这样做并不是很妥当。

youdao

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