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hold up — 4 meanings

One phrase, 4 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb4 meanings
  1. 1 delayTo cause someone or something to be late or to slow down.
  2. 2 supportTo physically support or keep something in position so it does not fall.
  3. 3 robTo threaten someone, usually with a weapon, in order to steal from them.
  4. 4 remain valid (of an argument, theory, etc.)To continue to be true, valid, or convincing when examined closely or tested over time.
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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

delay

B1hold sb/sth upspokenMost common

To cause someone or something to be late or to slow down.

Sorry I'm late—the traffic really held me up this morning.

A: Why are you so late?
B: There was an accident on the road that held everyone up.

If public transport is unreliable, it can hold up commuters and make them late for work or school.

Common mistake

✗Sorry, I don't want to hold up you.

✓Sorry, I don't want to hold you up.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'hold you up', not 'hold up you'.

Tell it apart

An accident held up the traffic.

delayed it

Two men held up the bank.

robbed it
Use 'hold up' when something is stopping you from being on time.'Hold up' (delay) is different from 'hold on', which means to wait.

Often paired with

hold up + person/thing
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2

support

B1hold sth up

To physically support or keep something in position so it does not fall.

The old bridge is held up by strong steel cables.

A: How is that shelf not falling?
B: It's held up by brackets screwed into the wall.

Modern buildings are often held up by a steel frame, which makes them stronger and safer.

Common mistake

✗What holds up it?

✓What holds it up?

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'hold it up'.

Tell it apart

These beams hold up the ceiling.

support it

The traffic held us up.

delayed us
Use 'hold up' when something is keeping another thing from falling down.'Hold up' (support) is about keeping something in place, not about making it higher.

Often paired with

hold up
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3

rob

B2hold sb/sth upspokeninformal

To threaten someone, usually with a weapon, in order to steal from them.

The store was held up by two masked men last night.

A: Did you hear about the bank?
B: Yeah, someone tried to hold it up yesterday afternoon.

In some cities, small shops are at risk of being held up, especially late at night when there are fewer people around.

Common mistake

✗They held up to the bank.

✓They held up the bank.

'Hold up + place/person' directly — no 'to'.

Tell it apart

They held up the bank.

robbed it at gunpoint

The roadworks held up the bus.

delayed it
This sense is often used for robberies, especially in banks or shops.'Hold up' (rob) is about stealing, not about delaying or supporting.

Often paired with

hold up + target
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4

remain valid (of an argument, theory, etc.)

C2hold up sth

To continue to be true, valid, or convincing when examined closely or tested over time.

Her theory about language acquisition doesn't really hold up under closer scrutiny.

A: Do you think his explanation for the drop in sales holds up?
B: Not really. Once you look at the data, there are too many inconsistencies.

While the initial findings appear promising, the methodology does not hold up to rigorous academic analysis.

Common mistake

✗Does this theory hold up to scrutiny?

✓Does this theory hold up under scrutiny?

'Hold up UNDER scrutiny/pressure' (not 'to scrutiny').

Tell it apart

The alibi didn't hold up.

didn't stand up to testing

The pillars hold up the roof.

physically support it
'Hold up' in this sense is used in academic, analytical, or evaluative contexts to discuss whether an idea, argument, or theory remains convincing or valid when examined critically. It is neutral in register and common in both spoken and written academic English.Unlike the B-level senses (delay, support, rob), this sense is figurative and refers to the strength or validity of abstract concepts, not physical objects or actions.

Often paired with

hold up + under
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delaysupportrobremain valid (of an argument, theory, etc.)