Meaning trap

hold up

rob

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

phrasal verbB2occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

rob

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

hold up (delay)

Another meaning of 'hold up' is 'delay'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

The store was held up by two masked men last night.crime
In some cities, small shops are at risk of being held up, especially late at night when there are fewer people around.IELTS speaking

Pattern: hold (someone/something) up

WrongThey held up to the bank.

RightThey held up the bank.

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

Patternhold (someone/something) up

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Two armed men robbed the convenience store.

Natural Two men held up the shop.

'Hold up' specifically means rob at gunpoint. 'Robbed' is the general word; 'held up' implies the weapon and threat.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Hold up' (rob) is about stealing, not about delaying or supporting.

hold up (delay) — Another meaning of 'hold up' is 'delay'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.