held in front
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held in front
Describes something that is held in front of another thing, often one's own body or face. It is most commonly used in the phrase 'mit vorgehaltener Hand' (with one's hand held in front of one's mouth) to describe speaking quietly or secretly.
Er sprach nur mit vorgehaltener Hand über die Gerüchte in der Firma.
He spoke about the rumors in the company only with his hand held in front of his mouth.
'Vorgehalten' is the past participle of the separable verb 'vorhalten' (to hold in front; vor + halten). So it literally describes something that is 'held' 'in front of' something else. This origin helps you understand the meaning.
Die vorgehaltene Waffe machte ihm Angst.
The weapon held in front of him frightened him.
The most common use is the fixed expression 'mit vorgehaltener Hand' (with one's hand held in front of one's mouth). It is used figuratively and means that someone is speaking secretly or very quietly so that others do not notice.
Hinter den Kulissen wurde mit vorgehaltener Hand über den neuen Chef getuschelt.
Behind the scenes, people whispered about the new boss with their hands held in front of their mouths.
Besides the fixed expression, 'vorgehalten' can also stand literally as an adjective before a noun. It then describes an object that is physically held in front of something or someone.
Der Redner schützte seine Augen mit der vorgehaltenen Hand vor der Sonne.
The speaker protected his eyes from the sun with his hand held in front of them.
