refrain

to stop yourself from doing something, especially something that is enjoyable but harmful or wrong

abstenerse de, evitar

• refrain from doing sth

Collocations refrain from drinking alcohol · refrain from smoking

• She tried to refrain from laughing.

  Ella intentó abstenerse de reír.

the part of a song, poem, or piece of music that is repeated several times

estrofa repetitiva, estribillo

Collocations refrain from a song

• The refrain of the song is very catchy.

  El estribillo de la canción es muy pegadizo.

to hold back or prevent someone from doing something

contener, impedir

• refrain sb/sth from doing sth

• She refrained him from making a mistake.

  Ella lo contuvo para que no cometiera un error.