Definition of Hold up

1. Verb. Be the physical support of; carry the weight of. "What's holding that mirror?"


2. Verb. Hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration.
Generic synonyms: Display, Exhibit, Expose

3. Verb. Cause to be slowed down or delayed. "She delayed the work that she didn't want to perform"
Exact synonyms: Delay, Detain
Generic synonyms: Decelerate, Retard, Slow, Slow Down, Slow Up
Specialized synonyms: Stonewall, Catch, Stall, Buy Time
Derivative terms: Delay, Holdup
Antonyms: Rush

4. Verb. Rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat.
Exact synonyms: Stick Up
Category relationships: Crime, Criminal Offence, Criminal Offense, Law-breaking, Offence, Offense
Entails: Assail, Assault, Attack, Set On
Specialized synonyms: Mug
Generic synonyms: Rob
Derivative terms: Holdup, Stickup

5. Verb. Continue to live through hardship or adversity. "The business is going to hold up "; "How long can a person last without food and water?"
Exact synonyms: Endure, Go, Hold Out, Last, Live, Live On, Survive
Entails: Be, Live
Related verbs: Be, Live, Exist, Live, Subsist, Survive
Specialized synonyms: Hold Water, Stand Up, Perennate, Live Out
Derivative terms: Endurance, Survival

6. Verb. Resist or confront with resistance. "The bridge held"
Exact synonyms: Defy, Hold, Withstand
Generic synonyms: Hold Out, Resist, Stand Firm, Withstand
Specialized synonyms: Brave, Brave Out, Endure, Weather
Derivative terms: Defiant, Withstander

7. Verb. Resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.. "This theory won't hold water"
Exact synonyms: Hold Water, Stand Up
Generic synonyms: Endure, Go, Hold Out, Last, Live, Live On, Survive

Definition of Hold up

1. Verb. (idiomatic transitive) To wait or delay. ¹

2. Verb. To support or lift. ¹

3. Verb. (idiomatic) To withstand; to stand up to; to survive. ¹

4. Verb. (idiomatic) to fulfil / fulfill or complete one's part of an agreement ¹

5. Verb. (idiomatic) to rob at gunpoint ¹

6. Verb. (transitive) To impede; detain. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hold Up

hold someone's feet to the fire
hold someone's hand
hold still for
hold sway
hold that thought
hold the cards
hold the fort
hold the line
hold the phone
hold the purse strings
hold the reins
hold the ring
hold tight
hold to account
hold true
hold up
hold up one's end
hold water
hold with the hare and run with the hounds
hold your fire
holdable
holdall
holdalls
holdawayite
holdawayites
holdback
holdbacks
holddown
holddowns
holde

Literary usage of Hold up

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Works of George Fox by George Fox (1831)
"To all the seed of Abraham, who suffer for denying the world's customs, and because they cannot hold up the corrupt priesthood that is therein ; or for ..."

2. The Works of George Fox by George Fox (1831)
"... and because they cannot hold up the corrupt priesthood that is therein ; or for testifying against the world, that the works thereof are evil. ..."

3. Kate Beaumont by John William De Forest (1872)
"hold up a minute, Redhead," calle Bentley. Then addressing Mrs. Saxon in caressing whisper, meanwhile patting he stalwart shoulder, he added, " Look here, ..."

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