held me up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held me up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something caused a delay or interruption. Example: "I was late to the meeting because traffic held me up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Another doctor held me up," he recalled.

Independent

They held me up to preach at Brian's funeral.

The New York Times

Mine has held me up through all of this.

The Guardian

"Two marshals held me up against the counter, they had my hands behind my back," Mr. Pollock said.

The New York Times

That held me up for a bit in the northwest, but after that it was a breeze.

The New York Times

"I can't thank you enough for the way you have held me up," he finally says.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It holds me up, but it also holds up the people who are behind me in line.

The New York Times

Hold me up high enough and people will stop sharing music out of fear.

The New Yorker

What's been holding me up is a sense of profound ambivalence about the whole undertaking.

The New York Times

Callie and Alice scream with laughter and hold me up, one on each side.

The New Yorker

The next thing I remember was Lloyd Schmidt holding me up at the finish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held me up" to describe a delay, consider the context. If you need a more formal tone, use "delayed me" or "hindered me".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "held". "Held me on" or "held me in" are not standard English. Always use "held me up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held me up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It is used to describe an action where someone or something has caused a delay or provided support. As Ludwig suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held me up" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, most commonly indicating a delay, support, or obstruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and widely used in English. Its frequency in news and media suggests a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, be mindful of the intended meaning and consider synonyms like "delayed me" or "supported me" for clarity. Avoiding incorrect preposition usage is crucial to maintaining grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed me

Focuses specifically on the aspect of causing a delay.

kept me waiting

Emphasizes the act of making someone wait.

caused a delay for me

More explicitly states the cause of the delay.

slowed me down

Highlights the reduction in speed or progress.

obstructed my progress

Formal way of indicating hindrance in advancement.

hindered me

Indicates an impediment or obstacle.

supported me

Focuses on providing assistance or encouragement.

propped me up

Implies physical or emotional support.

gave me strength

Focuses on empowerment and resilience.

boosted me

Suggests providing upward momentum or assistance.

FAQs

What does "held me up" mean?

The phrase "held me up" can mean several things, including causing a delay, providing support, or presenting an obstacle depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "held me up" when referring to a delay?

If you want to specify a delay, you can use alternatives like "delayed me", "kept me waiting", or "slowed me down".

How can I use "held me up" to describe emotional support?

When referring to emotional support, you might use phrases such as "supported me", "gave me strength", or "boosted me" to convey encouragement.

Is "held me up" formal or informal?

"Held me up" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "hindered me" or "obstructed my progress".