hold-up

noun

1. a robbery, esp an armed one
2. a delay; stoppage
3. an excessive charge; extortion
4. usually plural a stocking that is held up by an elasticated top without suspenders

verb

1. tr to delay; hinder

   we were held up by traffic

2. tr to keep from falling; support
3. tr to stop forcibly or waylay in order to rob, esp using a weapon
4. tr to exhibit or present

   he held up his achievements for our admiration

5. intr to survive or last

   how are your shoes holding up?

6. bridge to refrain from playing a high card, so delaying the establishment of (a suit)
7. hold up one's hands
   to confess a mistake or misdeed

Example Sentences

“It’s about the best jeans that hold up. It could be a Dickies. It could be a Carhartt. It could be an old pair of Walmart Rustler jeans.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s about the best jeans that hold up.

From Los Angeles Times

The mechanics of the plot itself don’t quite hold up under scrutiny, which is a shame when the dialogue, performances and filmmaking craft are so tightly meshed, moving in perfect sync.

From Los Angeles Times

The fact that the inaugural flight was unable to demonstrate this will be a disappointment to engineers, but shouldn't hold up the Ariane-6 programme.

From BBC

Before the game, the concern was that star receiver Puka Nacua’s injured right knee might not hold up.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delay
• detain
• hinder
• impede
• interrupt
• stay
• stop
• suspend