hold up

/hoʊld əp/

/həʊld əp/

Other forms: held up; holding up; holds up

Definitions of hold up
  1. verb
    be the physical support of; carry the weight of
    synonyms: hold, support, sustain
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    types:
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    scaffold
    provide with a scaffold for support
    block
    support, secure, or raise with a block
    carry
    bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of
    chock
    support on chocks
    buoy, buoy up
    keep afloat
    pole
    support on poles
    bracket
    support with brackets
    underpin
    support from beneath
    prop, prop up, shore, shore up
    support by placing against something solid or rigid
    truss
    support structurally
    brace
    support by bracing
    bolster
    prop up with a pillow or bolster
    tread
    brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center
  2. verb
    hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration
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    type of:
    display, exhibit, expose
    to show, make visible or apparent
  3. verb
    cause to be slowed down or delayed
    synonyms: delay, detain
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    Antonyms:
    hurry, rush
    urge to an unnatural speed
    types:
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    stonewall
    engage in delaying tactics or refuse to cooperate
    catch
    delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
    stall
    deliberately delay an event or action
    buy time
    act so as to delay an event or action in order to gain an advantage
    type of:
    decelerate, retard, slow, slow down, slow up
    lose velocity; move more slowly
  4. verb
    rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat
    synonyms: stick up
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    types:
    mug
    rob at gunpoint or with the threat of violence
    type of:
    rob
    take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
  5. verb
    continue to live through hardship or adversity
    synonyms: endure, go, hold out, last, live, live on, survive
    be, live
    have life, be alive
    exist, live, subsist, survive
    support oneself
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    types:
    hold water, stand up
    resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
    perennate
    survive from season to season, of plants
    live out
    live out one's life; live to the end
  6. verb
    resist or confront with resistance
    synonyms: defy, hold, withstand
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    types:
    brave, brave out, endure, weather
    face and withstand with courage
    type of:
    hold out, resist, stand firm, withstand
    stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
  7. verb
    resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
    “Her shoes won't hold up”
    synonyms: hold water, stand up
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    type of:
    endure, go, hold out, last, live, live on, survive
    continue to live through hardship or adversity
Pronunciation
US

/hoʊld əp/
UK

/həʊld əp/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘hold up'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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