badly held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly held up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is delayed or obstructed in a significant or problematic way. Example: "The construction project was badly held up due to unexpected weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Warwickshire were badly held up by the rain on day three of their County Championship Division One game against Sussex at Hove.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But diplomats and Egyptian officials said Mr. Ibrahim was worried that if the assaults went badly he might be held up as a scapegoat.

The New York Times

What thus became a fiduciary currency held up not too badly until the 260s, when confidence collapsed and people rushed to turn the money they had into goods of real value.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All four have faded badly, though, while Microsoft and I.B.M. have held up remarkably well in the current technology slump.

The New York Times

It said that while Labour's middle-class support held up, the party did badly amongst blue collar voters, many of whom went to the Tories or Ukip.

The Guardian

As badly as the broader sector has performed, some banks have held up better than others.

The New York Times

Big miss again, lunging on one held up in the wind and spooning it badly long.

The Guardian - Sport

On one of his trips downriver, when he had been held up for several months, she had been gang-raped, abducted and badly assaulted - her ear was ripped.

BBC

But the returns have held up not because graduates have done so well but because those with only high-school degrees have done so badly (see chart 5).

The Economist

Make it "held up".

The New York Times

The transport system held up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing progress or schedules, use "badly held up" to convey significant delays or obstructions caused by external factors like weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "badly held up" when the delay is due to internal inefficiencies or mismanagement. The phrase is best suited for external, often uncontrollable, factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly held up" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of significant delay or obstruction. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly held up" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that has been significantly delayed or obstructed, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying delays due to external factors. While relatively rare, its neutral register makes it suitable for general informational use. Alternatives such as "severely delayed" or "significantly obstructed" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly delayed

Replaces 'held up' with a more straightforward synonym.

severely delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay.

badly stalled

Highlights the stopping or pausing of progress.

significantly obstructed

Focuses on the obstruction or hindrance.

significantly slowed

Emphasizes the reduction in speed or progress.

seriously impeded

Highlights the negative impact of the impediment.

heavily disrupted

Indicates a disturbance or interruption.

adversely affected

Focuses on the negative effect of being held up.

negatively impacted

Similar to 'adversely affected', emphasizing the negative impact.

poorly maintained

Implies a state of disrepair causing delays.

FAQs

How can I use "badly held up" in a sentence?

You can use "badly held up" to describe situations where progress is significantly delayed or obstructed. For example, "The project was "badly held up" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "badly held up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "severely delayed", "significantly obstructed", or "seriously impeded", depending on the specific context.

Is "badly held up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "badly held up" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a situation where something has been significantly delayed or obstructed.

What's the difference between "badly delayed" and "badly held up"?

"Badly delayed" is a more general term, while "badly held up" often implies that something external caused the delay. They are often interchangeable but "badly held up" can highlight the obstruction aspect more strongly.