hold-up

hold-up — noun

1. a situation that causes something to happen later than planned, often because of

1.nounB1
Definition

a situation that causes something to happen later than planned, often because of a problem or obstacle

Example

A broken water pipe caused a two-hour hold-up at the train station yesterday morning.

hold-up at [place] — location of the delay

The construction work on the bridge is causing major hold-ups for morning commuters.

Common collocations
  • cause a hold-up
  • sorry for the hold-up
  • hold-up in traffic
  • hold-up at the airport
Synonyms
  • delay

    the most general word; 'hold-up' emphasises an unexpected problem causing the delay

  • setback

    suggests a delay that affects progress, especially towards a goal

  • snag

    a small unexpected problem that causes a short delay

Grammar Patterns

hold-up + in [noun phrase]

there is a hold-up

Usage Note

Countable noun — you can say 'a hold-up' or 'hold-ups'. Common with prepositions 'in' (hold-up in traffic) and 'at' (hold-up at the airport). Often follows 'sorry for the hold-up' in polite apologies.

Common Mistakes

The hold-up was because of raining.
The hold-up was because of the rain.
Use a noun or noun phrase after 'because of', not a verb.

2. a robbery in which someone steals from a place or person by showing a weapon and

2.nounB2
Definition

a robbery in which someone steals from a place or person by showing a weapon and demanding money or valuables

Example

Three masked men carried out a hold-up at the downtown bank shortly before noon.

carry out a hold-up — verb collocation for committing this crime

The store clerk was terrified during the hold-up but no one was physically hurt.

Common collocations
  • carry out a hold-up
  • involved in a hold-up
  • bank hold-up
  • gas station hold-up
Synonyms
  • robbery

    broader term — includes any theft from a person or place, with or without a weapon

  • armed robbery

    more formal legal term that specifies a weapon was used

  • heist

    informal, often used for a carefully planned robbery of a large amount of money or valuables

Usage Note

More common in US English than British English, where 'robbery' or 'armed robbery' is often preferred. Frequently appears in news reports and police statements.

Common Mistakes

There was a hold-up at the bank and the robber used a knife.
There was a hold-up at the bank, and the robber threatened the teller with a gun.
'hold-up' implies a weapon, traditionally a gun. For other types of theft, use 'robbery'.

3. long women's stockings that stay in position on the legs using a band of elastic

3.nounC1
Definition

long women's stockings that stay in position on the legs using a band of elastic or sticky material at the top, without needing a separate garter belt

Example

Hold-up stockings are popular because they stay up without a garter belt.

hold-up stockings — the full compound noun

Élise bought black hold-up stockings to wear with her evening dress at the wedding party.

Common collocations
  • hold-up stockings
  • pair of hold-ups
  • silicone band
  • lace-top hold-ups
Synonyms
  • thigh-highs

    more common term in American English for the same garment

  • stay-ups

    alternative British brand-style name; interchangeable with hold-up stockings

Usage Note

Commonly used as a compound noun 'hold-up stockings' or 'hold-ups'. In British English, also called 'stay-ups'. Less common in American English, where 'thigh-highs' is the more typical term.

hold-up — phrasal verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Hold-up', 'robbery', 'armed robbery', and 'heist' all describe stealing from people or places, but they differ in formality, scope, and connotation. 'Robbery' is the broadest legal term — it covers any theft from a person or institution with or without force. 'Armed robbery' is a more specific legal charge meaning the thief used a weapon, which carries a heavier penalty. 'Hold-up' is less formal than 'armed robbery' but similarly implies a weapon (usually a gun) and focuses on the moment of confrontation — the victim is 'held up' at the scene. 'Heist' is informal and dramatic, typically reserved for carefully planned thefts of large sums from banks or museums with an element of cleverness or daring. For example, a news report might say: 'Police are searching for two men who carried out an armed robbery at a downtown bank.' A witness might describe the same event as a 'hold-up', focusing on the frightening moment. A movie about the same crime would likely be called a 'heist film'.

hold-up ↗robbery ↗armed robberyheist

Common collocations

Nouns

  • traffic hold-up
  • bank hold-up
  • gas station hold-up
  • hold-up stockings

Phrases

  • cause a hold-up
  • sorry for the hold-up
  • carry out a hold-up
  • be held up at gunpoint

Prepositions

  • hold-up in (traffic / the airport)
  • hold-up at (the bank / the checkout)
  • hold-up on (the motorway)

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishAmerican English

The noun 'hold-up' comes from the phrasal verb 'hold up', which originally meant 'to raise or keep raised' (14th century). By the mid-1800s, American English used 'hold up' to mean 'to stop and rob at gunpoint' — the idea being that the robber forces victims to stop and raise their hands. From this sense came the noun 'hold-up' (or 'holdup') for the robbery itself, and later for any unexpected delay. The 'hold-up stockings' sense appeared in the mid-20th century, referring to stockings that 'hold themselves up' without garters.