got held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got held up" is a correct, usable phrase in written English.
The phrase “got held up” generally means that something has been delayed or impeded in some way. For example, "My train got held up in traffic, so I was late to my meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"He's got held up on the M3.

The Guardian

"It got held up in a committee.

The Guardian - Books

He repeatedly got held up at the line and stalled in his routes.

The New York Times

My U.F.O. got held up in traffic behind Shirley MacLaine's house.

The New York Times

The producer I worked with last week got held up with a meat cleaver.

The Guardian

"I remember the second day we were open my manager had got held up by knifepoint".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Oh, I hope he gets held up at third!

The New Yorker

Will the pills get held up in customs?

The New York Times

Everywhere you look, you're getting held up out there".

The New York Times - Sports

They never need to do anything twice, they never get held up on lines or online.

The New York Times

As well as the naturally slower pace of writing, the letters get held up a lot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got held up", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the delay, whether it's traffic, a meeting, or an external event. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "got held up". Ensure the tense aligns with the timeline of your sentence. For example, don't use present tense if you are referring to an event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "got held up" is that of a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced a delay or obstruction. Ludwig confirms this through its examples, showcasing its common usage in describing events that caused someone or something to be delayed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got held up" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a delay or obstruction. Ludwig provides numerous examples primarily from news and media sources, confirming its widespread use. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for various contexts, though less formal than some alternatives. Ludwig AI validates the accuracy and usability of this phrase, further solidifying its place in everyday language. When using it, ensure the context clearly states the reason for the delay to provide clarity and avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was delayed

Focuses on the delay aspect, omitting the potential cause.

encountered a delay

More formal, emphasizing the experience of a delay.

was obstructed

Highlights the hindrance or obstruction faced.

ran into a snag

Informal, suggesting a minor unexpected problem.

met with an obstacle

More formal, indicating a significant impediment.

was stalled

Emphasizes a halt in progress.

was robbed

Specifically refers to being a victim of theft, one potential meaning of being "held up".

was mugged

More specific term for being attacked and robbed.

experienced a setback

Highlights the negative impact of the delay.

was kept back

Focuses on the action of someone or something preventing progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "got held up" to indicate a delay or obstruction. For instance, "I "got held up" in traffic and arrived late" or "The project "got held up" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "got held up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was delayed", "encountered a delay", or "was obstructed". These alternatives provide similar meanings while varying the phrasing.

Is it correct to say "gets held up" instead of "got held up"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Got held up" refers to a past event, while "gets held up" is used for recurring or habitual events, such as “The train "gets held up" every morning due to congestion."

What's the difference between "got held up" and "got caught up"?

"Got held up" typically refers to an external cause of delay, such as traffic or an unexpected meeting. In contrast, "got caught up" suggests being engrossed or involved in something, leading to a delay, like “I got caught up in work and lost track of time."