has not held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has not held up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not maintained its quality, strength, or validity over time. Example: "The theory has not held up under scrutiny, leading researchers to reconsider their conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The argument has not held up well.

The New Yorker

That rationale has not held up in the real world.

The New York Times

In systematic studies of the M.S.B.P. profile, its predictive value has not held up well.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, this rationale has not held up particularly well either in theory or in practice.

The Guardian - Business

ICE has not held up deportations of young immigrants who have committed more serious crimes or were previously deported.

The New York Times

He appears in and was a writer on a 1975 Lily Tomlin special that has not held up well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The music hasn't held up well, but Michael Kidd's inventive choreography is still intriguing.

The New York Times

Mr. Ansen points to "Ben-Hur" (No. 19): "It wasn't that great to begin with, and it hasn't held up well".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, this optimistic assessment hasn't held up very well since the euro was created: the best estimates now indicate that trade among euro nations is only 10 or 15 percent larger than it would have been otherwise.

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, I have doubts about the report's attempt to assess the effects of policy uncertainty, which relies on research that hasn't held up very well under scrutiny.

The New York Times

But it hasn't held up to scrutiny.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not held up", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect (validity, strength, relevance) is being questioned over time. For example, specify if a theory, argument, or physical object is being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "has not held up" without specifying the conditions or factors that contributed to its failure. Simply stating something "has not held up" lacks precision. Provide details like "the initial assumptions have not held up under rigorous testing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not held up" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject (theory, claim, object) has failed to maintain its validity, strength, or quality over time. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has not held up" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something has failed to maintain its original strength, validity, or quality over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and acceptable. This phrase commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing "has not held up", clarity is key; specifying what aspect has deteriorated and under what conditions strengthens the statement. Alternatives such as "has not stood the test of time" or "has proven unsustainable" can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not stood the test of time

Focuses on the aspect of time as the primary factor in the failure.

has proven unsustainable

Highlights the inability to maintain a certain condition or outcome.

has lost its validity

Emphasizes the loss of correctness or factual basis.

has not been substantiated

Indicates a lack of supporting evidence or confirmation.

has failed to materialize

Focuses on the lack of realization or achievement.

has not remained relevant

Stresses the diminishing importance or applicability.

has fallen apart

Suggests a breakdown or disintegration of something.

has become obsolete

Highlights the outdated or no longer useful nature of something.

is no longer convincing

Emphasizes the lack of persuasive power or credibility.

is no longer applicable

Highlights that something no longer can be applied to a situation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has not held up"?

It means that something, like a theory, claim, or object, has not maintained its strength, validity, or quality over time or under scrutiny. It suggests a decline or failure.

What can I say instead of "has not held up"?

You can use alternatives like "has not stood the test of time", "has proven unsustainable", or "has lost its validity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "did not hold up" or "has not held up"?

The choice between "did not hold up" and "has not held up" depends on the time frame you're referencing. "Did not hold up" refers to a specific past instance, while "has not held up" implies a longer period and continued failure up to the present.

How do you use "has not held up" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe anything that has failed to maintain its original condition or effectiveness. For example, "The initial hypothesis "has not held up" under further investigation."