hold up to (something)
(redirected from hold them up to)hold up to (something)
1. To physically lift someone to the same height as something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "up." If I held you up to the window, do you think you could fit through the opening?
2. To withstand scrutiny or some form of challenge. Her story won't hold up to a cross-examination, don't worry.
hold someone up to something
to lift someone up to the level of something. I held up little Mary to the window so she could see out. She was held up to the window so she could see better.