minor holdup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor holdup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small delay or obstacle that is not significant. Example: "We experienced a minor holdup in the project due to unexpected weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Besides a minor holdup at immigration, causing Emicida's Coachella set to be delayed, he and his crew had a blast at the festival.

Vice

Well, whoever told them that's what I want with my life?" Besides a minor holdup at immigration, causing Emicida's Coachella set to be delayed, he and his crew had a blast at the festival.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The sheer number of people taking part in the event means even relatively minor crashes can cause long holdups on narrower parts of the route, such as at Leith Hill in Surrey.

The Guardian - Sport

In a broad range of gas and liquid flows studied (G= 0.10 0.70 and L= 0.5 5kg/m2s) at different operation conditions, CFD demonstrated the considerable effect of operating pressure in pressure drop, whereas a minor influence was detected for the liquid holdup.

Chemical Engineering Science

In addition to the minor - or not so minor - irritations of lengthy drives and traffic holdups, it's now been shown that long commutes, especially with multiple and prolonged delays, can take a toll on your health.

Huffington Post

The holdup?

The New York Times - Arts

What is the holdup?

The New York Times

Esto Es Holdup?

The New York Times

What's the holdup?

The New York Times - Magazine

And what was the holdup?

The New York Times

What's the holdup, huh?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor holdup" to describe a temporary delay or obstacle that does not significantly impact the overall progress or outcome of something.

Common error

Avoid using "minor holdup" when the delay or obstacle is, in fact, substantial or has significant consequences. Choose stronger language to reflect the true impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor holdup" functions as a noun phrase where "minor" modifies the noun "holdup". It describes a type of delay that is not significant. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor holdup" refers to a slight delay or impediment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is understandable in various settings, it's crucial to assess the true impact of the delay to avoid misrepresentation. Using synonyms like "slight delay" or "small setback" can enhance clarity in certain contexts. The phrase is considered neutral, but slightly more formal terms are advisable for official communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor delay

Simple synonym replacement, only 'holdup' gets replaced with 'delay'.

slight delay

Replaces 'holdup' with 'delay', maintaining the sense of a temporary pause or slowing down.

short delay

Emphasizes the brevity of the delay, similar to 'minor holdup'.

small setback

Substitutes 'minor holdup' with 'small setback', emphasizing the impediment aspect rather than the delay.

brief interruption

Replaces 'minor holdup' with 'brief interruption', focusing on the temporary nature of the disruption.

temporary setback

Highlights the temporary nature of the setback, offering a slightly stronger connotation.

slight snag

Uses 'snag' instead of 'holdup', suggesting a small, unexpected problem.

small impediment

Replaces 'holdup' with 'impediment', highlighting the obstruction caused.

brief pause

Focuses on the temporary cessation of activity, replacing 'holdup' with 'pause'.

minor inconvenience

Shifts the focus to the trouble caused by the delay, replacing 'holdup' with 'inconvenience'.

FAQs

What does "minor holdup" mean?

A "minor holdup" signifies a small delay or temporary obstacle that doesn't significantly impede progress. It suggests a brief interruption or setback that is not expected to cause major problems.

How can I use "minor holdup" in a sentence?

You can use "minor holdup" in sentences like: "We experienced a "minor holdup" due to unexpected paperwork", or "The project is on schedule despite a "minor holdup" with the delivery of materials".

What are some alternatives to "minor holdup"?

Alternatives include "slight delay", "small setback", or "brief interruption", depending on the specific context.

Is "minor holdup" formal or informal?

"Minor holdup" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "slight delay" or "brief impediment".