i was held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was held up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain that you were delayed or prevented from arriving on time due to unforeseen circumstances. Example: "I apologize for being late to the meeting; I was held up in traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I was held up at gunpoint twice.

The New York Times

"The first year, I was held up at gunpoint.

Independent

In the original studio portrait, I was held up by my father.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

— ShowMeTheFuture, St . LouisI was held up at gunpoint many years ago (as a 29 year old woman) by two men.

The New York Times

A 27-year-old web developer said: "At one tech conference I was held up as a freak by the organiser for being a female developer.

The Guardian - Tech

Feeling like a fraud when I was held up in both cultures to represent or speak for all black people everywhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Standing in the Perth morning sun, I was holding up a picture of my daughter Hannah.

The Guardian

"That was why I was holding up the nominations," he said.

The New York Times

"That was something special I was holding up my sleeve," Bush said.

The New York Times

"It seemed like I was holding up a lot of people through the whole week," Busch said.

The New York Times - Sports

"As I raised the stuttering guitar above my head, I felt I was holding up the bloodied standard of endless centuries of mindless war".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was held up" to politely explain a delay without assigning blame or going into excessive detail. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I was held up" frequently without providing context or taking responsibility. Overuse can sound insincere or as if you're avoiding accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was held up" functions as a declarative statement to explain a delay or impediment encountered by the speaker. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct. The provided examples show it used in various contexts to justify tardiness or unexpected absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was held up" is a correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to explain a delay. It is most common in News & Media contexts and less frequent in academia or scientific writing. While generally neutral in tone, avoid overuse to maintain sincerity. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "I was delayed" or "Something came up" for similar meanings, depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was delayed

This alternative directly states a delay without specifying the cause.

I encountered a delay

This phrase emphasizes the experience of facing a delay.

I ran into a snag

This idiom suggests a minor and unexpected problem.

I was waylaid

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying delayed.

I was caught up

This suggests being occupied with something that caused the delay.

I got stuck

This indicates being unable to proceed due to some obstacle.

I was stalled

Implies a temporary cessation of progress.

I faced an obstruction

Highlights that you experienced something that blocked your progress.

Something came up

A general expression for something unexpected causing the delay.

I was set back

This indicates a setback or hindrance.

FAQs

What does "I was held up" mean?

The phrase "I was held up" means that someone was delayed or prevented from arriving at a destination or completing a task on time, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

What can I say instead of "I was held up"?

You can use alternatives like "I was delayed", "I encountered a delay", or "something came up" depending on the context.

Is "I was held up" formal or informal?

The phrase "I was held up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and semi-formal settings. However, in highly formal contexts, a more specific and professional explanation might be preferable.

When is it appropriate to use "I was held up"?

It is appropriate to use "I was held up" when you need to briefly explain a delay without going into excessive detail. For example, you might say it when apologizing for being late to a meeting.