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refrain
in a sentence
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show 10 more with this conextual meaning
  • The constant refrain heard from the party leadership is not to let unachievable perfection become the enemy of good legislation.
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • Her refrain is to look for the good in people. I hear her say it and see her do it multiple times each day.
    refrain = something repeated in a regular manner
  • Theo had begun reading the refrain and ended up singing.   (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  •   This was the refrain we had practiced so often.
      "There is risk, I know it, but you have taught me to be careful. I can do this, Mother. I want to."   (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • The song's title and refrain was, "This Is Not My Home."   (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  • Miss Emma repeated the old refrain I had heard about a hundred times the day before.   (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • Then I talk back and start contradicting everyone until the old familiar Anne refrain inevitably crops up again: "No one understands me!"   (source)
    refrain = a phrase often repeated by someone
  • There are more of us than you think: That's another one of Alex's favorite expressions, his constant refrain.   (source)
  • ...which had the refrain:  Ho, rumble, rumble, rumble, Rumble drum belaboured.   (source)
    refrain = lines repeated after each verse of a song
  • After this last remark, the refrain becomes: 'Yes, yes, yes!   (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
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show 8 more with this conextual meaning
  •   rhythmical chant of 'B-B! … B-B!'
      ...
      It was a refrain that was often heard in moments of overwhelming emotion.   (source)
  • This morning Wargrave had sat huddled in his chair on the terrace refraining from any overt activity.   (source)
    refraining = avoiding
  • "Orgy-porgy," the dancers caught up the liturgical refrain, "Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun, kiss the girls …"   (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  • Sometimes, preoccupied with her work, she sang the refrain very low, very lingeringly; "A long time ago" came out like the saddest cadence of a funeral hymn.   (source)
  • Alex's constant refrain plays in my head: There are more of us than you think.   (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • My ears were humming with the following refrain: snap the end, strip the pod, pull the string, pod in the pan, snap the end, strip the pod, pull the string, pod in the pan, etc., etc.   (source)
  • Then suddenly somebody started singing "Orgy-porgy" and, in a moment, they had all caught up the refrain and, singing, had begun to dance.   (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  • Her lips moved, she was saying something; but the sound of her voice was covered by the loud reiterated refrain of the sightseers.   (source)
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show 10 more with this conextual meaning
  • She refrained from hitting him back.
    refrained = resisted
  • How do you refrain from laughing at the wrong time?
    refrain = resist
  • I want to refrain from commenting on this matter until I hear both sides of the story.
    refrain = avoid
  • You must refrain from personal attacks in this forum.
  • She refrained. It wouldn't have felt right to steal food from a woman who had left her a dictionary against a windowpane.   (source)
    refrained = resisted
  • It also occurred to me how lucky I was to have Baba as my father, the sole reason, I believe, Assef had mostly refrained from harassing me too much.   (source)
    refrained = stopped himself
  • I refrain from saying how I usually clear out of the house whenever she's treating anything worse than a cold.   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • Whether on horseback, bike, or snowboard, he refrained from doing some of the wild, daredevil stunts that boys his age usually tried—not because he feared for his safety, but because he felt it was his solemn duty as an only child.   (source)
    refrained = stopped
  • "I thought I should refrain from writing them," he wrote to Martindale in 1955, "as my letter might make them to remind up the hard days in Omori, which, I am sure, they would like to forget."   (source)
    refrain = avoid or resist (from a desire)
  • I was sorely tempted to end the conversation by informing Sergeant Bickle that his son was a potential lunatic, but I refrained.   (source)
    refrained = stopped myself
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show 89 more with this conextual meaning
  • I know I have my own feelings as to who should be chosen as the leader, but I'll refrain from saying at this time so as not to influence any decisions.   (source)
    refrain = avoid
  • Langdon looked as if he wanted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he refrained.   (source)
    refrained = resisted (stopped himself)
  • I refrained from explaining that I was too busy working on the case of an innocent black man the community was trying to execute after a racially biased prosecution.   (source)
    refrained = stopped myself
  • Then, Mr. Small got up on the stage and asked everyone to refrain from applause until all the names were read and all the diplomas were handed out.   (source)
    refrain = atop themselves from
  • If the remainder of the school year were as fraught with drama as the first day, perhaps it would be mildly entertaining, but the prospect of spending nine months refraining from reading and writing made me think of running away.   (source)
    refraining = staying away
  • So your mother kowtowed in the pagoda, pledging to observe the right harmony of body, thoughts, and speech, to refrain from giving opinions, and to shun wealth.   (source)
    refrain = avoid
  • I couldn't refrain from sounding Peter out on the subject, and he instantly replied that Dussel had been lying.   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • And yes, I refrained from saying, "Or herself It could be a girl."   (source)
    refrained = avoided or resisted (doing something)
  • Would you please refrain from calling me man?   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • Saeed went with his father to pray on the first Friday after the curfew's commencement, and Saeed prayed for peace and Saeed's father prayed for Saeed and the preacher in his sermon urged all the congregants to pray for the righteous to emerge victorious in the war but carefully refrained from specifying on which side of the conflict he thought the righteous to be.   (source)
    refrained = avoided
  • Bailey would not refrain from remarking on our classmates' lack of knowledge.   (source)
    refrain = resist (stop himself)
  • When once you were in the grip of the Party, what you felt or did not feel, what you did or refrained from doing, made literally no difference.   (source)
    refrained = stopped yourself
  • When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter and none ever failed to do so—they branded it afresh in Hester's soul; so that, oftentimes, she could scarcely refrain, yet always did refrain, from covering the symbol with her hand.   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • ...for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still.   (source)
    refrained = resisted
  • During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • I must not, however, neglect the duties of my station, or refrain from declaring my amazement at hearing that you received the young couple into your house as soon as they were married.   (source)
  • Ever since turning sixty, the Count had generally refrained from alcohol after eleven, having found that late-night drinks, like unsettled children, were likely to wake you at three or four in the morning.†   (source)
  • To make it last I refrained from putting a strain on it; when the lifeboat nudged the island, I did not move, only continued to dream.†   (source)
  • She had always refrained from criticizing the Dursleys in front of Harry, but her eyes flashed every time they were mentioned.†   (source)
  • I was a little glad that he had called us boys and refrained from the word "devil."†   (source)
  • When Hester returned from SOMEWHERE SUNNY, I refrained from commenting on her lack of a tan.†   (source)
  • It's good I refrained from saying anything to the baker in Tarifa, thought the boy to himself.†   (source)
  • The more Snowman thinks about it, the more he's convinced that Ramona and his father had refrained.†   (source)
  • She barely refrained from shattering the vial in her fist.†   (source)
  • The person I most wanted to tell was Aspen, but I refrained.†   (source)
  • Save for the one time he had tried to probe Murtagh's consciousness, he had refrained from doing so.†   (source)
  • I spoke privately to my family on the phone and refrained from mentioning to Mom that I had now contracted some kind of Afghan mountain bacteria that attacked my stomach like Montezuma's revenge gets you in Mexico.†   (source)
  • In fact, I deliberately refrained from entering into such debates during these past days because I came principally to listen.†   (source)
  • She refrained from finishing the sentence: almost like someone had been dragged away.†   (source)
  • Leto hesitated, almost activated his shield, but refrained because that would limit his movements, his hearing …. and because the captured shipment of lasguns had left him filled with doubts.†   (source)
  • So as not to make his mood worse she refrained from mentioning the card that fell out of her exercise book at school.†   (source)
  • He refrained from commenting.†   (source)
  • Subject has refrained from speaking for three and a half minutes.†   (source)
  • She had refrained from mentioning this fact to her companion; but now Shade Buckheath stepped out to join Johnnie, and instantly Lydia turned and motioned Stoddard to her.†   (source)
  • This was an irresistible novelty, and soon we were laughing at each other, although Boo had refrained from being really mean at anyone's expense.†   (source)
  • Call refrained from comment.†   (source)
  • Cherishing each discovery, Kelley refrained from searching for all the notes at once.†   (source)
  • And Moby is responsible, she refrained from adding.†   (source)
  • My father-in-law refrained from taking much meat from the central dish, preferring that his grandsons eat this precious resource first.†   (source)
  • He tightened his stomach muscles and refrained from pushing into Otis's mind.†   (source)
  • He refrained from loosening his hand from her grip for fear of waking her, and turned carefully on his side to observe her better.†   (source)
  • I refrained from speaking any of them aloud, and instead began walking again.†   (source)
  • ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS of the House of Commons who had refrained from speaking, and who felt extremely pleased with the outcome, was the gentleman-scholar Edward Gibbon.†   (source)
  • She refrained from saying that the plan was mad.†   (source)
  • Eddis, sitting with her feet inside the wall, refrained from plucking at his sleeve to pull him back.†   (source)
  • Through it all, President Kennedy has refrained from making public threats or even critiquing the Soviet atrocities.†   (source)
  • They refrained from smoking, because they knew that it was possible to tell from a long way off that the air in a house was full of nicotine.†   (source)
  • —) Abby fed the baby and burped her and changed her miniature diaper, which was the disposable kind, but Abby refrained from so much as mentioning the word "landfill."†   (source)
  • Everybody knew (he said) that Adam Selene had refrained from standing for Congress on grounds that Chairman of Emergency Committee should not take advantage of positon to elbow way into new government …. but could Honorable Chairlady tell member whether was any reason not elect Adam Selene a member-at-large?†   (source)
  • Shamron refrained from smoking because Raphael was sleeping soundly in Gabriel's arms.†   (source)
  • His jaw worked as he clearly refrained from saying something.†   (source)
  • In all of Montgomery only one woman refrained.†   (source)
  • The vivid and valuable passages—the ones which in general I refrained from throwing away—seemed to me later to be the ones having to do with my emasculations, my thwarted manhood and truncated passions.†   (source)
  • I refrained from commenting on these things, but accommodated myself to whatever positions the seat assumed and new operating requirements the vehicle obtained.†   (source)
  • Not to disclose their weakness, they refrained from pursuing the retreating Whites.†   (source)
  • I wanted to ask; but that was a question at present without an answer, and I refrained.†   (source)
  • Tony, witness of this scene, refrained from looking at Dick.†   (source)
  • Whether he wrote DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, or whether he refrained from writing it, made no difference.   (source)
    refrained = stopped himself
  • As the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his character, I cannot refrain from relating them.   (source)
    refrain = avoid
  • Fanny, not able to refrain entirely from observing them, had seen enough to be tolerably satisfied.   (source)
    refrain = avoid or resist
  • He could allow his sister to be the best judge of her own happiness, but he was not pleased that her happiness should centre in a large income; nor could he refrain from often saying to himself, in Mr. Rushworth's company—"If this man had not twelve thousand a year, he would be a very stupid fellow."   (source)
    refrain = resist
  • Now, during a conversation of some two or three moments between the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale and this excellent and hoary-bearded deacon, it was only by the most careful self-control that the former could refrain from uttering certain blasphemous suggestions that rose into his mind, respecting the communion-supper.   (source)
  • "No one could love a child more than I loved your brother"—tears came into his eyes as he spoke—"but is it not a duty to the survivors that we should refrain from augmenting their unhappiness by an appearance of immoderate grief?"   (source)
    refrain = avoid or resist
  • Fanny acknowledged her wishes and doubts on this point: she did not know how either to wear the cross, or to refrain from wearing it.   (source)
  • …and though infinitely above scheming or contriving for any the most advantageous matrimonial establishment that could be among the apparent possibilities of any one most dear to him, and disdaining even as a littleness the being quick-sighted on such points, he could not avoid perceiving, in a grand and careless way, that Mr. Crawford was somewhat distinguishing his niece—nor perhaps refrain (though unconsciously) from giving a more willing assent to invitations on that account.   (source)
  • I could have torn him limb from limb, as the lion rends the antelope. But my heart sank within me as with bitter sickness, and I refrained.   (source)
    refrained = resisted
  • Mary refrained from saying what she felt, that there could not be two persons in existence whose characters and manners were less accordant: time would discover it to him; but she could not help this reflection on the Admiral.   (source)
  • Fanny could hardly have kept her seat any longer, or have refrained from at least trying to get away in spite of all the too public opposition she foresaw to it, had it not been for the sound of approaching relief, the very sound which she had been long watching for, and long thinking strangely delayed.   (source)
    refrained = stopped herself
  • Langdon refrained from checking his watch.†   (source)
  • Saphira must have shared in his reluctance, for she too refrained from broaching the subject.†   (source)
  • The elf refrained from answering, but he appeared distinctly uncomfortable.†   (source)
  • Are you sure the subject refrained from activity, including talking, for the full five minutes?†   (source)
  • But July looked so low that she refrained from speaking.†   (source)
  • At the time, Jean Louise was so overcome with despair at the prospect of being too old to enjoy anything when it would finally be over, she refrained from pursuing the subject.†   (source)
  • "Yes, Harry, you can love," said Dumbledore, who looked as though he knew perfectly well what Harry had just refrained from saying.†   (source)
  • I wished to turn and look back, but I remembered Lot's wife and the pillar of salt, and refrained from doing so.†   (source)
  • For at least twenty years many financial reporters have refrained from scrutinising Hans-Erik Wennerström.†   (source)
  • He was a tall, thin, lugubrious presence; a sourness radiated from him—dogs not only refrained from biting him, they slunk away from him; they must have known that the taste of him was as toxic as a toad's.†   (source)
  • Its streets were not only paved, they were named (Adeline Avenue, for Miss Adeline Clay), but the older residents refrained from using street names—the road that runs by the Tompkins Place was sufficient to get one's bearings.†   (source)
  • Harry resisted the temptation to laugh, remembering that Ron had refrained from doing so after Malfoy had broken Harry's nose; Hermione, however, looked cold and distant all the way down to the stadium through the cool, misty drizzle, and departed to find a place in the stands without wishing Ron good luck.†   (source)
  • Eragon was hot and thirsty, but refrained from asking for a reprieve-he would continue as long as they did.†   (source)
  • His work had been consuming huge amounts of electric power lately, but I refrained from questioning him.†   (source)
  • The last few fields, furthermore, became increasingly muddy and I deliberately refrained from shining my lamp on to my shoes and turn-ups for fear of further discouragement.†   (source)
  • That is why I lie in this trance-it slows the Skilna Bragh's progress, though does not stop it…… I contemplated waking for the purpose of ending my life and denyingGalbatorix, but I refrained from doing so out of hope that you might be an ally….†   (source)
  • It is true, these same trivial errors did cause me some anxiety at first, but once I had had time to diagnose them correctly as symptoms of nothing more than a straightforward staff shortage, I have refrained from giving them much thought.†   (source)
  • Blomkvist refrained from comment.†   (source)
  • She had told Giannini everything that had happened in Gosseberga, but she had refrained from telling her anything about Bjurman.†   (source)
  • But he refrained.†   (source)
  • Saphira usually refrained from touching the thoughts of humans and dwarves and allowed Eragon to relay her words, since few members of those races had the training to guard their minds if they wished for privacy.†   (source)
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  • Distressing though it may be, I must request that you and your wife refrain from visiting or even from sending letters to Miss Chase at present, as contact with either of you is sure to have a disruptive effect upon the treatment.†   (source)
  • "We can't possibly leave them out" became a regular refrain.†   (source)
  • The refrain had become a joke: "Power on soon, stay warm, stay safe!" we'd say to each other as a greeting.†   (source)
  • Naturally, I have little choice but to insist that my staff refrain from using such terms when addressing you.†   (source)
  • But it's obvious if you know where to look, and a common refrain for those of us who return intermittently is "Geez, Middletown is not looking good."†   (source)
  • 'Just now!' said Many, who was refraining from yelling with enormous difficulty.†   (source)
  • Judge Ottarson said, "The witness will please refrain from addressing—"†   (source)
  • " "But then there's the refrain!"†   (source)
  • Now I hear these words as love's refrain.†   (source)
  • He decided to refrain from asking about Captain Kirk's use of photon torpedoes against the Klingons.†   (source)
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show 190 more examples with any meaning
  • If only I'd believed him was my endless refrain.†   (source)
  • She was in the middle of the patio, dancing with Juan to "My Beloved Captain," and as she danced, she outdid herself singing the refrain.†   (source)
  • Which is true, but I refrain from mentioning that usually I'm not alone.†   (source)
  • She clenched her teeth, refraining from saying more.†   (source)
  • The prisoners' replies were like a refrain: "I done a girl a great injustice, and I think it'll pay back a little bit what I did to her."†   (source)
  • Eragon relayed the message succinctly, refraining from distracting Saphira with questions.†   (source)
  • They all picked up the refrain, asking again and again in a rising plea: Mother May I?†   (source)
  • I must also ask you to refrain from straying inland unless accompanied by a crew member.†   (source)
  • You knock me out:' Art said, supplying their traditional father-son refrain.†   (source)
  • Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area.†   (source)
  • The refrain "this is not your country" echoed for a lifetime.†   (source)
  • She refrains from locking horns or filing complaints.†   (source)
  • You see, I refrain from outlining just what this gentleman has been saying to me - _about you all--.†   (source)
  • On coming home every evening he could not refrain from commenting casually on his extensive circle of acquaintances: he had only to set foot in the street, he told us, and he would be surrounded by dozens of them.†   (source)
  • The refrain came, and Aloine sang again.†   (source)
  • That is, word for word, the most common refrain.†   (source)
  • He left, refraining from banging the door shut behind him, though Clary could tell he wanted to.†   (source)
  • Then I'll pose another question for you: What does it mean to you that you stand before another human, that you are bound and helpless and the other human holds a knife at your throat—yet this other human refrains from killing you, frees you from your bonds and gives you the knife to use as you will?†   (source)
  • I scooped up Marley's latest deposit, repeating what had become my daily refrain—'1 can't believe I'm doing this" —and began poking and spraying.†   (source)
  • You must refrain from doing anything else—but you know this.†   (source)
  • But a real philosopher must not refrain from pointing out something 'terrifying' if he otherwise believes it to be true.†   (source)
  • And you, Perseus Jackson, I do expect you to refrain from causing any more trouble.†   (source)
  • I'll tell you what's the matter if you collect yourself and refrain from carrying on like—arum!†   (source)
  • Henrik "Henrik also says that if you require compensation for financial losses that may arise from your refraining from publishing the story, he is entirely open to discussion.†   (source)
  • There is a hibachi in the small, beautifully kept back yard, and the door chimes play a tinkly phrase from the refrain of "Hey, Jude."†   (source)
  • He knew the important things: don't miss an in-service day; submit curriculum changes to the department heads; refrain from being alone in a room with a female student.†   (source)
  • This? was the refrain in her mind.†   (source)
  • "Not far now, Hlao-roo, not far now," he kept muttering, until he realized that what he said had become meaningless, a mere refrain.†   (source)
  • (Immediately—a refrain) Willy Harris is a good-for-nothing loudmouth.†   (source)
  • "New York," she said dreamily and began to sing the refrain from the popular New York merengue that was on the radio night and day.†   (source)
  • I suppose I could refrain from sharing that with the entire camp at dinner.†   (source)
  • First it was a hymn, all abrupt, odd, minor cadences and monotonous refrain.†   (source)
  • Angel said it was the big crossover reggaeton hit with DaddyYankee; I didn't know the name was "Oye Mi Canto," but we could all sing the refrain: Boricua, Morena, Dominicano, Colombiano, Boricua, Morena, Cubano, Mexicano Oye Mi Canto Bonnie snorted.†   (source)
  • I didn't try to wiggle away, and I produced only enough curses to let him know that I could have made more noise but was refraining.†   (source)
  • The sudden slug of whiskey made his eyes water, but he was able to refrain from coughing.†   (source)
  • "No, just them two," July said, refraining from mentioning Elmira.†   (source)
  • Across Kasturba Nagar, there was a single refrain among the women: We all killed him.†   (source)
  • A sniper must be mentally strong, firmly anchored in a religion or philosophy that allows him to refrain from killing when unnecessary, and to kill when necessary.†   (source)
  • "If You're Reading This" relays the words from heaven of a soldier who has been killed in combat and contains the refrain, And know my soul Is where my momma always prayed that it would go.†   (source)
  • For a long moment neither of them spoke, and Julie suddenly heard the refrain she'd lived with the last couple of years start up, as if a recording had been switched on.†   (source)
  • The common refrain was how a combination of corruption and neglect siphoned off what little money was meant for the people of Baltistan as it made the long journey from Islamabad, the capital, to these distant mountain valleys.†   (source)
  • He just wants me to refrain from my colorful choice of words in his class.†   (source)
  • In my mind, I repeated my commands in an endless refrain.†   (source)
  • And please refrain from listing body parts or anything involving the word oral.†   (source)
  • Looking back now, listening to the lyrics again, it is not lost on me, as it was then, that Don Quixote dies in the end, that Aldonza survives, that it is she who sings the refrain from "The Impossible Dream," she who is left standing to do battle.†   (source)
  • Each witch spoke in turn, as if singing a refrain.†   (source)
  • All the old people joined in the refrain.†   (source)
  • I also listed all the things from which we should refrain: no fried food, no sautéed food.†   (source)
  • "I would suggest you refrain from using that tone with me," she said in the least intimidating voice imaginable.†   (source)
  • Or should he refrain from approaching her?†   (source)
  • Guitars and drums in a driving rhythm repeated a musical refrain first in one register, then another.†   (source)
  • The sweet refrains drifted to the heavens like birdsong.†   (source)
  • He was kind to Cypress, offering to run errands for her and refraining from his usual insulting manner.†   (source)
  • The Estrellos embodied the well-known refrain "Mtentras hay lucha hay vida, y mientras hay vida hay lucha [While there is struggle there is life, and while there is life there is struggle}."†   (source)
  • Refrain from speaking and still this was proof of an opinion.†   (source)
  • On the other side, a British diarist drearily echoed the same refrain, writing, "Nothing extraordinary….†   (source)
  • Second, it would be most appreciated if you would refrain from discussing certain aspects of my life-style while in the service of my government in the hostile, war-mongering West with anyone you might meet.†   (source)
  • "I would be obliged if you would refrain from insulting members of my household whilst they are carrying out my instructions," he said.†   (source)
  • Those were all the words he knew, aside from the refrain.†   (source)
  • "I'll see the president's second inaugural" is their common refrain.†   (source)
  • May I suggest that it would be advisable to refrain from mentioning the words 'Project X' to anyone, Dr. Stadler?†   (source)
  • Sam was eager for an answer to the same question and could not refrain himself from muttering, for his master's ear alone as he thought: 'It's a fine view, no doubt, Mr. Frodo, but chilly to the heart, not to mention the bones!†   (source)
  • But a refrain beats inside me: Beware the birth of May.†   (source)
  • Refrain from dwelling on what you do not believe.†   (source)
  • He hums a few bars, to the first refrain.†   (source)
  • We agreed that because of my condition we would refrain from speaking of the exalted one and the blessed sap.†   (source)
  • Refrain: Turn out here and shuck this corn, Oh!†   (source)
  • I also have to behave myself, play well with others, refrain from throwing desks, as well as refrain from any "violent physical altercations."†   (source)
  • A song in which the refrain,Vamos a la playa, plays over and over, to a Latin beat.†   (source)
  • The only variance in the words from tribe to tribe was the refrain that identified the singers.†   (source)
  • His chest heaved as though it was all he could do to refrain from devouring me.†   (source)
  • Chairman said, "The witness is admonished to refrain from making speeches.†   (source)
  • "Rather refrain, Mr. President," the commandant said, still trying not to smile.†   (source)
  • I discovered that, although wolves reputedly devour several hundred people in the Arctic Zone every year, they will always refrain from attacking a pregnant Eskimo.†   (source)
  • And I find it, for example, in the repetition of that refrain of Yeats's, "Come build in the empty house of the stare," with its tone of supplication, its pivots of strength in the words "build" and "house" and its acknowledgement of dissolution in the word "empty".†   (source)
  • It must have been a refrain; each time she sang it, the audience broke up laughing.†   (source)
  • On and on the voice went, a gentle monologue, lulling, soothing, murmurously infusing her with a sense of repose; it was a soft refrain so sedative indeed that soon she was no longer even embarrassed that the hands of this stranger were greenly stained with her own sour juices, and somehow she regretted that the one thought she had expressed to him, when she had first opened her eyes, had been the impossibly foolish Oh, I think I'm going to die.†   (source)
  • Uncle Allen tried his customary soothing refrain.†   (source)
  • "Nevertheless," said the monk, "all life being one, in this monastery all do practice the doctrine of ahimsa and refrain from taking life of any sort."†   (source)
  • "We seen them come and we seen them go," he said as if this were a refrain.†   (source)
  • Liudmila sang "The Vineyard" in their honor, with the double refrain "God give you love and counsel," and a song that began "Undo the braid, scatter the fair hair."†   (source)
  • He was, moreover, a brilliant political analyst, who knew that during his lifetime the number of American voters who agreed with the fundamental tenets of his political philosophy was destined to be a permanent minority, and that only by flattering new blocs of support—while carefully refraining from alienating any group which contained potential Taft voters—could he ever hope to attain his goal.†   (source)
  • '; with only FATHER-JACQUES continuing with his former refrain of 'Production!†   (source)
  • Whatsoever mind I enter, there will I go for the benefit of man, refraining from all wrong-doing and corruption.†   (source)
  • Simon refrains from saying that he doesn't need any assurance.†   (source)
  • He refrains from swearing: no way of telling what else might be prowling around in the night.†   (source)
  • On the refrains her voice spun, twinning and mixing with my own.†   (source)
  • Schiem showed his true gentlemanly nature by refraining from any crude comments as he lay a thick slice of steaming meat atop her piece of bread.†   (source)
  • If the song was being done properly, with both a man and a woman alternating the verses, the song was further complicated by the female's counter harmony in the refrains.†   (source)
  • He glanced at the Thief and then away, refraining at the last moment from asking if Eugenides could make the climb unassisted.†   (source)
  • He has an opportunity now to move the world back from the abyss of destruction--by returning to his government's own words that it had no need to station missiles outside its own territory, and withdrawing these weapons from Cuba--by refraining from any action which will widen or deepen the present crisis--and then by participating in a search for peaceful and permanent solutions.†   (source)
  • "So where next?" was his constant refrain.†   (source)
  • Mr. Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again.†   (source)
  • She wasn't born to be a maid, that was her refrain.†   (source)
  • Refrain from fraternizing with the female inhabitants.†   (source)
  • "Mademoiselle, please refrain from speech until we get to the head's office."†   (source)
  • It was as difficult to stop his relentless pacing as to refrain from shouting.†   (source)
  • You never know," was Ron's constant refrain.†   (source)
  • They would have been told to wear solar topis, dress for dinner, refrain from raping the natives.†   (source)
  • I reached the end of the refrain before Aloine's first stanza.†   (source)
  • I was going to double the third refrain to give someone the chance to come in as Aloine.†   (source)
  • I was so used to practicing the song alone that I almost forgot to double the third refrain.†   (source)
  • "Re'lar Ambrose, in the future you will refrain from wasting our time with spurious charges."†   (source)
  • If they could refrain from shooting me out of the sky, I'd be grateful."†   (source)
  • The refrain is especially nice, I think.†   (source)
  • And I would thank you to refrain from implying that I'm a traitor to my kind!†   (source)
  • "If you would refrain from interrupting my statement, we'll get to that.†   (source)
  • As the final refrain faded into oblivion, Eragon raised his hands and said, "Welcome, one and all.†   (source)
  • I could not refrain from tears; everyone seemed affected.†   (source)
  • I was going to strike at those soldiers days ago, but I had to refrain since you were absent.†   (source)
  • And for him a new refrain: I am the guard who opened the gates and let the foe march through.†   (source)
  • My father would groan in acknowledgment, lowing the refrain of my youth.†   (source)
  • Refrain: Turn out here and shuck this corn, Oh!†   (source)
  • Adams could not refrain from tears in contemplating this great structure.†   (source)
  • She had but one refrain: "Your oldest son is no better than a girl.†   (source)
  • It rushes through my veins with a fierce, pulsing refrain: You are alone, alone, alone.†   (source)
  • My heart beats its refrain: Don't look behind you; don't stop; run, run, run.†   (source)
  • Then refrain from pestering me with such questions.†   (source)
  • It was a lifelong refrain, and his enjoyment now seemed to bear him out.†   (source)
  • Unless he discards all semblance of decency, I think we should refrain from interfering.†   (source)
  • In response to further letters in _A Quarterly--, the Society justified its stance by saying that while it accepted some correspondents' views that certain butlers of excellent quality were to be found in the houses of businessmen, 'the assumption had to be that the houses of _true-- ladies and gentlemen would not refrain long from acquiring the services of any such persons'.†   (source)
  • If you will refrain from echoing either the last clause or the last word of everything I say to you, I will be much obliged.†   (source)
  • I am on the point of saying that I have been getting along without it for some time, but I refrain; and then I say, You do not look yourself today, Sir, I trust you are not ill.†   (source)
  • Yueh!" goes the refrain.†   (source)
  • She is my age with four children, and when she posted that she had finally found a man who would treat her well (a refrain I'd seen many times before), her thirteen-year-old daughter commented: "Just stop.†   (source)
  • As Owen finished knocking the snow off his boots—as the little Lord Jesus stepped inside our house—Dan half-sang, half-mumbled the refrain we knew so well: "Hark! the her-ald an-gels sing, 'Glo-ry to the new-born King!'†   (source)
  • They are to be bunked with the others of their kind and by …. but only if the two factions refrain from fighting.†   (source)
  • I am, with this letter, begging you, both as a friend and as part owner of Millennium, to refrain from publishing the truth about Gottfried and Martin.†   (source)
  • "You see, manipulating bioelectricity comes so natural to Lunars that it's virtually impossible to refrain from using it, especially at such a young age.†   (source)
  • Rand put a hand on his wife's shoulder, a signal this refrain had been expressed and received many times.†   (source)
  • Thought-mutants occur in the consciousness one after the other, at least if we refrain from censoring ourselves too much.†   (source)
  • I was thinking my own questions, the same questions I'd thought for years, the ominous refrain of our marriage: What are you thinking, Amy?†   (source)
  • "Aaargh, the good die young," muttered Hagrid, slumping low onto the table, a little cross-eyed, while Slughorn continued to war-ble the refrain.†   (source)
  • I refrain from pointing out we've already had a conversation about our own less-than-perfect chompers.†   (source)
  • He bets they didn't refrain, though.†   (source)
  • It was a refrain of hers: Just like Nick to …. and whatever followed, whatever was just like me, was bad.†   (source)
  • It would have been easier-far easier-to offer to reimburse the unemployed brother from Washburn's monthly stipend, but the doctor and his patient had agreed to refrain from such compromises.†   (source)
  • If we were to look more like them, smell like them, dress like them, refrain from flaunting our differences, they might be more willing to tolerate us.†   (source)
  • The bluecoats refrain from charging, preferring to plod, letting the notion of surrender sink in, for the rebels surely know there is no way they can get off this hill alive.†   (source)
  • But, as the queen's daughter, she cannot ignore you and risk offending a Rider-especially one upon which so much depends…… Even if you were a fit match, Arya would refrain from encouraging you so that you could devote all of your energy to the task at hand.†   (source)
  • I know what my brother would do—green skin for Esther, with beetle antennae, and hairy legs for Veronica, eight of them—but I refrain from doing it.†   (source)
  • The Capitol glows above the frenzied crowds like some great torch of freedom, a wondrous reminder that Lincoln's common refrain of "the Union must go on" has, indeed, come to pass.†   (source)
  • If you barbarians had to degrade the name of a great city of yours, you could at least refrain from doing it to me.†   (source)
  • Even if they refrain from a direct attack, our situation will only worsen without an outlet for regular trade.†   (source)
  • But alas, he had now metamorphosed into a full-blown scientist, and was so shrouded in professional dignity that it was all I could do to refrain from making him a profound obeisance.†   (source)
  • It was such a strong itch that she could not refrain from discreetly scratching it, but nothing gave her any relief.†   (source)
  • As an old teacher I can hardly refrain from classroom habits; the corollary should be left as an exercise for the student.†   (source)
  • He would say it two or three times a day, like a refrain, as the mirages shimmered in the endless distances.†   (source)
  • They are aware of this and a little ashamed of it, and to avoid causing their friends embarrassment, they refrain from appearing in public with their mistresses.†   (source)
  • A reporter who sticks out his neck like that has to either stand behind his story 100 percent or refrain from publishing it.†   (source)
  • Sometimes that dependence requires us simply to refrain from doing something, like crossing over the double yellow line.†   (source)
  • " "Because Stralbo wisely and courageously decided to refrain from reacting to their provocations," Gorshkov replied.†   (source)
  • "Really rather refrain, Mr. President," the commandant said then harked a laugh as if' at a joke he'd just told.†   (source)
  • Even after we realized the story was absurd, a fairy tale, it still delighted us, and we loved to repeat that refrain.†   (source)
  • Every voice was lifted in the common refrain to the God of Battle, singing of deeds of valor and of glorious deaths on the field of honor.†   (source)
  • She had been about to leave the room, and her hands were poised on the aprons bow, but her brother's excitement made her refrain from pulling it apart.†   (source)
  • If the magician seemed too tired, however, Roran would refrain from having his own blisters healed; he would rather endure the pain than allow Carn to expend all of his strength before they arrived at Aroughs, for Roran suspected that Carn's skills might very well prove useful in capturing the city.†   (source)
  • Bowen was a good man in his way, but the wound he had taken at the Bridge of Skulls had hardened his attitudes, and the only song he ever sang now was his familiar refrain about sealing the gates.†   (source)
  • At this critical juncture none but the most self-assured of men, no matter how certain he may be of his privacy, can refrain from casting a surreptitious glance around to reassure himself that he really is alone.†   (source)
  • This symmetrical compositionthe same motif appears at the beginning and at the endmay seem quite novelistic to you, and I am willing to agree, but only on condition that you refrain from reading such notions as fictive, fabricated, and untrue to life into the word novelistic.†   (source)
  • Our problem is to manipulate the game so that our strength is utilized toward an optimax solution while inducing them to waste their superior strength and to refrain from using it at maximum.†   (source)
  • He swore to me that he had never heard of Miguel, and that gave me the courage to keep living, even though I sometimes fell into a black pit of depression and began to recite the refrain about how much I wanted to die.†   (source)
  • We have managed to refrain.†   (source)
  • The sound wraps itself around my every sinew; it pulses in my blood with a new refrain I cannot yet sing but long to.†   (source)
  • "I cannot, however, upon a retrospect of his education, refrain from thinking that some very capital mistakes were very indesignedly made," she would tell Mary.†   (source)
  • He told her he had thrown her out of the house and that he strictly forbade her to mention his sister's name in his presence, suggesting that if she had a shred of decency she would also refrain from mentioning it behind his back.†   (source)
  • If I may ask one last favor: would you please refrain from telling Arya, Nasuada, or any of the Varden of my current situation?†   (source)
  • Frequently he would interject a similar refrain in thoughtful letters to his department heads when passing down decisions or judgments on matters of government business.†   (source)
  • Underneath it all, I hear a terrible refrain scratching itself into my soul: "Sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice…"†   (source)
  • We recommend you refrain from striking at Murtagh with magic until he attacks with mind or magic himself.†   (source)
  • Can we draw a veil over the guilty cause [Abigail wrote], or refrain from comparing a country grown old in debauchery and lewdness with the wise laws and institutions of one wherein marriage is considered as holy and honorable, wherein industry and sobriety enable parents to rear numerous offspring, and where the laws provide resource for illegitimacy by obliging the parents to maintenance, and if not to be obtained there, they become the charge of the town or parish where they are…†   (source)
  • If he had had the strength to refrain from returning to Carvahall, you never would have found Saphira's egg, the Ra'zac would not have killed your uncle, and many things that were not, would have been; and many things that are, would not be.†   (source)
  • Our mission is to let the enemy know that we could have destroyed their city — but didn't — but that they aren't safe even though we refrain from total bombing.†   (source)
  • So I said, "Let's go to bed, you're tired"—and then didn't have sense enough to refrain from judging her myself.†   (source)
  • You will please refrain from comments and allow Oscar to cope with his problems as he comes to them, rested, clear-eyed, and unworried.†   (source)
  • When he thought it necessary, he would work under a window where he knew she was sitting and talk to himself, a careful roundabout discussion, question and answer and then refrain.†   (source)
  • She was a theosophist, but she was also an expert on the ritual of the Orthodox Church, and even when she was toute transports, in a state of utter ecstasy, could not refrain from prompting the officiating clergy.†   (source)
  • All that year she walked the streets, combed the classified ads, sat in offices waiting to talk to possible employers, and always heard the same refrain: No jobs.†   (source)
  • Production!' become a chorused refrain whilst, without interrupting the action and the comings and goings, one hears, in voices loud enough to surmount the tumult, the following speeches:] MOTHER JACQUES: I keep thinking of the future of all these children!†   (source)
  • You would expect to find the "low" churchman genuflecting and crossing himself lest the weak conscience of his "high" brother should be moved to irreverence, and the "high" one refraining from these exercises lest he should betray his "low" brother into idolatry.†   (source)
  • I even held Anse refraining still, not that I was holding him recessional, but as though nothing else had ever been.†   (source)
  • And I should say that when tempted to visit a brothel he refrains; it might give him a bad name and be held up against him one day.†   (source)
  • Many times she allowed the dark to fall upon them, refraining from lighting the lamp.†   (source)
  • Amedee is always the exact opposite of the rest," said Francoise, not unkindly, refraining until she should be alone with the other servants from stating her belief that my grandmother was 'a bit off her head.'†   (source)
  • The mere cadence of the sentences, the subtle monotony of their music, so full as it was of complex refrains and movements elaborately repeated, produced in the mind of the lad, as he passed from chapter to chapter, a form of reverie, a malady of dreaming, that made him unconscious of the falling day and creeping shadows.†   (source)
  • Gerasim with a firm light tread, his heavy boots emitting a pleasant smell of tar and fresh winter air, came in wearing a clean Hessian apron, the sleeves of his print shirt tucked up over his strong bare young arms; and refraining from looking at his sick master out of consideration for his feelings, and restraining the joy of life that beamed from his face, he went up to the commode.†   (source)
  • If a well-constituted individual refrains from blazoning aught amiss or calamitous in his family, a nation in the like circumstance may without reproach be equally discreet.†   (source)
  • Doubtless Swann had too particular an affection for Odette, as to which he had failed to take Mme. Verdurin daily into his confidence; doubtless the very discretion with which he availed himself of the Verdurins' hospitality, refraining, often, from coming to dine with them for a reason which they never suspected, and in place of which they saw only an anxiety on his part not to have to decline an invitation to the house of some 'bore' or other; doubtless, also, and despite all the…†   (source)
  • And he whispering to her how happy he was, how grateful for all her love and faith, and at one point almost tempted to ask whether in case it should ever appear that he was not as good as she now seemed to imagine him, she would still love him a little—not hate him entirely—yet refraining for fear that after that exhibition of terror the preceding night she might connect his present mood with that, or somehow with the horrible, destructive secret that was gnawing at his vitals.†   (source)
  • In no way wearied by his sallies on the road, he was in the drawing-room before any of us; and I heard him at the piano while I was yet looking after my housekeeping, singing refrains of barcaroles and drinking songs, Italian and German, by the score.†   (source)
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