hold up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is slowing down or being hindered, or to mean "wait". For example: "We were making great progress on the project but then the pandemic hit, and it's been holding us up ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hold up!

Independent

"It won't hold up.

The New York Times

"Hold up the pan".

The New Yorker

Now, hold up.

Independent

The story hold up.

Harvard University

Will it hold up?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Poor roads hold up trade.

The Economist

But can they hold up?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Hold ups.

WikiHow

Make it "held up".

The New York Times

— it also holds up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold up" to mean 'wait', ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion with its other meanings, such as 'rob' or 'support'.

Common error

Avoid using "hold up" in formal writing where a more precise term like 'delay', 'support', or 'question' would be clearer and less ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hold up" primarily functions as a verb, taking on different meanings depending on the context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It can express delaying something, supporting something physically, withstanding scrutiny, or even denote robbing someone at gunpoint. The examples showcase its versatility across diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "hold up" is a versatile and commonly used expression with multiple meanings. It can signify delaying, supporting, withstanding, or robbing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. While its usage is generally neutral to informal, it's important to choose more precise language in formal settings to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear. Its frequent appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrates its broad applicability across diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rob at gunpoint

Specifically addresses the criminal act of robbing someone with a firearm, which is one specific meaning of "hold up".

stick up

An informal synonym for 'rob at gunpoint', offering a direct alternative for that specific context.

wait a moment

Emphasizes a brief pause or delay, similar to asking someone to "hold up" to allow time for something.

delay briefly

Focuses specifically on the act of postponing something for a short duration, mirroring the 'delay' sense of "hold up".

support physically

Highlights the 'support' definition of "hold up", indicating the act of bearing weight or preventing something from falling.

bear the weight

Similar to 'support physically', this stresses the act of carrying or sustaining a load.

question that

Mirrors the interrogative usage of "hold up", expressing doubt or disbelief about something.

call into question

Formally challenges the validity or truth of something, paralleling the 'question' aspect of "hold up".

stand firm

Focuses on the resilience and ability to withstand pressure, relating to the 'withstand' meaning of "hold up".

remain stable

Emphasizes maintaining a steady state or condition, akin to resisting collapse or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "hold up" in a sentence to mean 'delay'?

You can say something like, "The traffic is "holding up" our delivery schedule".

What's a more formal alternative to using "hold up"?

Depending on the context, you could use "delay", "support", or "question" instead of "hold up".

Is it correct to use "hold up" in professional emails?

While understandable, "hold up" might be too informal for some professional settings. Consider using a more formal term like "postpone" or "delay" depending on the context.

How do I use "hold up" to mean 'rob' in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The bank was "held up" by masked gunmen".