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hold up

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

Keep something up, make something late, stay strong, or rob someone

Literal meaning: To physically lift or support something so it stays elevated

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To physically support or lift something so it stays raised or does not fall

"He held up the banner so everyone in the crowd could see it."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To delay or obstruct someone or something

"An accident on the motorway held up traffic for three hours."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To rob someone using the threat of violence, typically with a weapon

"Two masked men held up the convenience store and escaped with the cash."

Grammar: separable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral

To remain strong, functional, or valid under pressure or over time

"Remarkably, the old bridge held up through decades of heavy use."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

One of the most versatile phrasal verbs with 'hold'. The robbery sense is informal/colloquial. The 'endure' sense is intransitive. Common in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

traffic robbery delay structure deal argument

Forms

Base
hold up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
holds up
he/she/it
Past simple
held up
yesterday
Past participle
held up
have + pp
-ing form
holding up
continuous

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Synonyms

delay support rob endure withstand sustain

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