控(ひか)えるto be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)

役者(やくしゃ)が舞台(ぶたい)の裏(うら)に控(ひか)えています。

The actor is waiting backstage. {to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)}

試合(しあい)が二日(ふつか)後(ご)に控(ひか)えているので緊張(きんちょう)しています。

I am nervous because the match is in preparation for two days later. {to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)}

家来(けらい)は主人(しゅじん)の後(うし)ろに控(ひか)えて目立(めだ)たないようにするべきだ。

The servant should hold back and stay behind their master, making sure not to stand out. {to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)}

酒(さけ)を控(ひか)えるようにしてからというもの、体重(たいじゅう)がスルスルと落(お)ちていった。

Ever since I started to refrain from drinking alcohol, my weight has been steadily dropping. {to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)}

母(はは)：「忘(わす)れっぽいなら、大事(だいじ)な予定(よてい)の日程(にってい)を手帳(てちょう)に控(ひか)えるようにするまでだよ！」

Mother: "If you're forgetful, you should jot down important schedules in your notebook!" {to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ..., to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number), to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for, to be soon, to be in the offing, to be in a close relationship (e.g. as a backer, etc.)}