hold-up

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hold-up' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a noun and can have multiple meanings, such as a delay or a robbery. Example 1: "The construction on the highway caused a hold-up in traffic for over an hour." Example 2: "The bank was robbed in a daring hold-up by a group of armed men."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The hold-up is ideological.

The Economist

So why the hold-up?

The New York Times

But the real hold-up is political.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It doesn't quite hold up.

The New Yorker

Hold up there, kiddo.

Vice

Hold up!

Independent

"It won't hold up.

The New York Times

"Hold up the pan".

The New Yorker

Now, hold up.

Independent

Poor roads hold up trade.

The Economist

But can they hold up?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold-up" to describe a robbery, ensure the context clearly indicates the use of force or threat. When describing a delay, use context to specify the cause of the "hold-up".

Common error

Avoid using "hold-up" when a simple delay or inconvenience occurs without a significant obstruction or potential illegal intention. Use alternatives like "delay" or "slowdown" in such instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold-up" primarily functions as a noun, referring either to a delay or an act of robbery. As Ludwig shows, it's used to describe situations causing obstruction or forceful seizure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold-up" is a noun with dual meanings: a delay or a robbery. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it functions to describe interruptions or forceful seizures. Related phrases include "delay" and "robbery". Use "hold-up" precisely, ensuring the context clarifies its intended meaning. Given the rare usage in the provided examples, explore the alternatives when appropriate to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holdup

Different spelling variation of the phrase, but it has the exact same meaning.

robbery

Emphasizes the criminal act of stealing, especially with force.

delay

Focuses on the aspect of postponement or slowing down progress.

stickup

Colloquial term for robbery, particularly at gunpoint.

impediment

Highlights the barrier or obstruction causing the delay.

setback

Implies a temporary pause or reversal in progress.

interruption

Focuses on the disruption of an activity or process.

obstruction

Highlights the physical or figurative blockage.

roadblock

Emphasizes the obstacle preventing further movement or progress.

bottleneck

Describes a point of congestion causing delays.

FAQs

What does "hold-up" mean?

The phrase "hold-up" can refer to a delay or obstruction, as in "What's the hold-up?", or a robbery, especially one involving a weapon, as in "The bank suffered a violent hold-up".

How can I use "hold-up" in a sentence?

You might say, "The unexpected roadwork caused a significant "delay"" or "The thieves planned a daring bank "robbery"".

What are some alternatives to "hold-up" when referring to a delay?

Depending on the context, you could use "delay", "impediment", or "setback" instead of "hold-up".

When is it appropriate to use "hold-up" instead of "robbery"?

"Hold-up" is best used when emphasizing the act of stopping or impeding something during the "robbery" itself, suggesting an interruption or forced standstill. "Robbery" is more general.