hold up
1. To physically keep something elevated. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." I've never had a better feeling than when I held up that trophy. You're going to need to hold your skirt up all night so that it doesn't drag on the floor. Mom, my arms are getting tired. How long do you expect me to hold this thing up?
2. To physically keep someone or something upright. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." He was so sick that I practically had to hold him up in the pharmacy line. Miles is just learning to stand on his own, so he sometimes needs us to hold him up while he steadies himself. You want the lattice to go here? OK, but what are you going to use to hold it up?
3. To delay or slow someone or something down. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." A discrepancy like this could hold up the sale of our house. You better leave now if you don't want rush hour traffic to hold you up. Would you please leave me alone? I'm very busy today, and all of your questions are holding me up!
4. To rob someone or something, especially when armed. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." You'll definitely go to jail if they find out you held up a gas station! Do you think you would recognize the guy who held you up at gunpoint? A: "Are you OK? You look awfully pale." B: "Some guy on the street held me up and took off with my wallet."
5. To use or emphasize someone or something as an example. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." Stop holding my behavior up as some paragon of virtue. They're always holding my sister up as some paragon of success and good behavior, which makes me feel like a real failure. Don't hold that company up as something to aspire to—its workplace culture is completely toxic.
6. To withstand use. Those cheap boots won't hold up through one winter. I can't believe how well these inexpensive towels have held up to repeated washings. You've had that coat for years, right? It's really held up well!
7. To withstand scrutiny or some form of challenge. Her story won't hold up to a cross-examination, don't worry. They want to investigate your claim to see if it holds up. Her explanation had too many inconsistencies and contradictions to hold up under scrutiny.
8. To remain enjoyable, relevant, worthwhile, etc., over time. I used to love this movie as a kid, but I don't think it really holds up anymore. Sure, its effects seem a little dated now and the plot is a bit silly, but I think it still holds up as one of the all-time great action movies. These songs have really held up. Don't they sound as fresh today as they did when they came out?
9. To do as was promised in an agreement or bargain; to carry through with what one agreed to do. I've delivered the cash as you instructed. Now you have to hold up your end of the bargain! I've paid my share setting up this business—now it's time for you to hold up your end. Jackie didn't hold up her end, so we're excluding her from the deal.
10. To endure or persevere. Mom hasn't been holding up too well since Dad's death. Kids are resilient, so I just know your son will hold up well, even in the face of such tragedy. Mandy's been OK today, but I doubt she'll hold up at the funeral.
11. To wait or pause. Often used as an imperative. Hold up—what exactly are you trying to tell me? Tell Hank to hold up for a second before he turns on the power. Hold up, Amanda Smith used to date my boyfriend?
holdup
Often hyphenated.
1. A robbery, especially one in which the robber is armed. Did they ever catch who was behind the hold-up at the gas station? Do you think you would recognize the guy responsible for the holdup? A: "Are you OK? You look awfully pale." B: "I was just the victim of a holdup on my walk home."
2. A delay. What's the hold-up with that order? Is something out of stock? A: "What's the hold-up here?" B: "Looks like there was a car accident not too far ahead and they had to close one of the lanes of the highway." Sorry for the holdup—I had a hard time finding your items in the back.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hold someone or something up
1. Lit. to keep someone or something upright. Johnny is falling asleep. Please hold him up until I prepare the bed for him. Hold up the window sash while I prop it open.
2. Fig. to rob someone or a group. Some punk tried to hold me up. The mild-looking man held up the bank and shot a teller.
3. Fig. to delay someone or something. Driving the kids to school held me up. An accident on Main Street held up traffic for thirty minutes.
hold up (on someone or something)
to delay or postpone further action on someone or something. I know you are getting ready to choose someone, but hold up on Tom. There may be someone better. Hold up on the project, would you? We need to hold up for a while longer.
hold up
1. Lit. to endure; to last a long time. How long will this cloth hold up? I want my money back for this chair. It isn't holding up well.
2. and hold up (for SOme-one or something) to wait; to stop and wait for someone or something. Hold up for Wallace. He's running hard to catch up to us. Hold up a minute.
hold up
(for someone or something) Go to hold up; wait up (for someone or something).
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hold up
1. Offer or present as an example, as in The teacher held Bernie's essay up as a model for the class to follow. [c. 1600]
2. Obstruct or delay, as in We were held up in traffic. [c. 1900]
3. Rob, as in He was held up in a dark alley, with no help nearby. This usage, which gave rise to the noun holdup for a robbery, alludes to the robbers' demand that the victims hold their hands high. [Late 1800s]
4. Also, hold out. Continue to function without losing force or effectiveness, endure. For example, We held up through that long bitter winter, or The nurse was able to hold out until someone could relieve her. [Late 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hold up
v.1. To raise something or someone in the air: I held the baby up over my head. The police officer held up the stop sign so drivers could see it.
2. To support something or someone in an upright position: The nurse held the patient up as they walked to the bathroom. The coach held up the injured athlete.
3. To maintain or adhere to some part of an arrangement or agreement: You need to hold up your part of the deal, or your partners will lose trust in you. We intend to hold our end of the bargain up.
4. To obstruct or delay something or someone: The bad weather is holding flights up. The traffic jam held up thousands of commuters.
5. To rob someone or some place while armed, often at gunpoint: The armed robbers held the convenience store up. The gangsters held up the bank.
6. To offer or present something as an example: The professor held the essay up as a model for the students. The company president held up his record as one that couldn't be surpassed.
7. To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: The company held up under financial stress. How are you holding up?
8. hold up to To withstand the force of something: The dye in my sweater can't hold up to the strong chemicals in the detergent.
9. hold up to To withstand comparison with something: Although I practice every day, my singing can't hold up to your beautiful voice.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.