refrain from

refrain from (doing something)

To make a considered, conscious effort not to do something. I ask everyone to refrain from asking questions until the end of the presentation. Please refrain from talking while you are in the library.
See also: refrain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

refrain from something

to hold back from doing something; to choose not to do something as planned. I wish you would refrain from shouting. Please refrain from hollering.
See also: refrain
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

refrain from

v.
To make a conscious decision not to do something: All passengers must refrain from smoking during the flight.
See also: refrain
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • refrain
  • refrain from (doing something)
  • be second nature
  • keep (something) in proportion
  • hold one's tongue, to
  • abstain
  • be sure to (do something)
  • be sure to do something
  • keep (something) to a minimum
  • habit is second nature
References in periodicals archive
On Friday, the UNSC met for the first time in over five decades to discuss the critical situation in Indian occupied Kashmir, urging parties to the dispute to refrain from taking any unilateral action.
Turkey welcomes UNSC consultations over Occupied Kashmir
Members of the United Nations Security Council met for the first time in over five decades on Friday to discuss the critical situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir, urging parties to the dispute to refrain from taking any unilateral action.
UNSC meeting nullifies Indian claim IOK is its internal matter: Maleeha
'This is a very unfortunate event, we call on farmers and members of the public to refrain from such action,' it reads.
Three arrested for killing lions
Germany on Wednesday called on Turkey to avoid escalation and refrain from illegal drillings off Cyprus.
Germany calls on Turkey to refrain from illegal drilling
UNITED States Ambassador Sung Kim on Wednesday urged all countries to refrain from conducting provocative acts in the South China Sea (SCS).
US envoy Sung Kim: All countries must stop provocative acts in South China Sea
Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte should not be forced to talk more about the alleged ramming of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as he asked other government officials to also refrain from making comments on the issue.
Gordon on boat sinking: 'Do not force the President to talk more'
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI):India on Monday took offence to the reference to the Jammu and Kashmir in the final communique of the 14th Islamic summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that was held in Saudi Arabia and asked it to refrain from making "unwarranted" references.
India takes offence to OIC's mention of J and K
BAGHDAD (NINA) - The US State Department has raised the risk of travel to Iraq to its highest levels and urged its citizens to refrain from visiting it.
After Withdrawing Staff And Stop Granting Visa .. Washington Warns Its Citizens To Travel To Iraq
(2) You must leave this place if you can't refrain from talking.
Refraining From Collaboration
"We would like to state the following with regard to the statement of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Strasbourg proposing to Azerbaijan "to refrain from use of force, threaten by use force and military rhetoric".
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry responds to Pashinyan's "offer"
BRUSSELS, April 11 (KUNA) -- The European Union Thursday said that it is closely monitoring the situation in Sudan and called on all parties to refrain from violence.
EU calls for inclusive political process in Sudna
The Journalists Association of Macedonia (ZNM) believes that officeholders, especially ministers, should refrain from statements that could be understood in some way as threats or defamation of media.
ZNM: MINISTERS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM STATEMENTS PERCEIVED AS THREATS OR DEFAMATION
But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling advised Mr Bercow to refrain from doing anything that would "cause controversy around his position" and "undermine" the credibility of the post.
Speaker's Brexit moves receive mixed reactions
The GDT has urged the public to comply with its requirements such as not overloading the vehicle and refrain from peeking out of windows.
Vehicle decoration allowed until December 21: MoI