to press down; to hold down; to pin down
to suppress (feelings, disorder, opposition, etc.); to repress
犬が暴れるのを押さえ付けた。
I held down the dog that was thrashing about.
紙が飛ばないように石で押さえ付けている。
I'm holding the paper down with a stone so it doesn't fly away.
押さえ付けるのではなく話を聞くべきだ。
You should listen rather than hold them down.