Restrain impudent journalist for Spooner (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
hold back
'restrain' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hold back that I've seen before include "Sufferer from lumbago" , "Refrain -- restrain -- retain" , "check" , "Hesitate" , "restrain from action" .)
