hold-up
B2Informal to neutral; 'robbery' meaning is more formal/law enforcement context
Definition
Meaning
A delay or interruption in progress, often involving traffic, processes, or events; also a robbery at gunpoint.
An instance where something is prevented from proceeding as planned, whether due to physical obstruction, administrative issues, or criminal activity. In criminal context specifically refers to armed robbery.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Two distinct meanings exist: 1) delay/obstruction (more common), 2) armed robbery. Context determines interpretation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings used in both varieties. The 'delay' meaning is slightly more common in British English. The 'robbery' meaning carries stronger criminal connotations in American English.
Connotations
UK: Often bureaucratic or traffic-related delays. US: Stronger association with violent crime for robbery meaning.
Frequency
Approximately equal frequency overall, with 'delay' meaning being 70% of usage in corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There was a hold-up on the motorwayThe project experienced a hold-upPolice responded to a hold-up at the bankWhat's causing the hold-up?Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold your horses”
- “Hold the fort”
- “Hold up your end”
- “Hold up under pressure”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We're experiencing a hold-up with the supplier's delivery
Academic
The research faced a significant hold-up due to funding issues
Everyday
Sorry I'm late, there was a hold-up on the tube
Technical
The system experienced a data processing hold-up
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The roadworks caused a three-mile hold-up on the M25.
- There was an armed hold-up at the post office in Cheltenham.
American English
- A truck accident created a major hold-up on I-95.
- The police are investigating a hold-up at the convenience store.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sorry I'm late, there was a hold-up on the bus.
- The train had a small hold-up.
- Bad weather caused a hold-up at the airport.
- The bank was closed after yesterday's hold-up.
- Paperwork hold-ups are delaying the planning permission.
- The masked man was arrested following the hold-up.
- Bureaucratic hold-ups have stalled the infrastructure project indefinitely.
- The sophisticated hold-up involved multiple perpetrators and getaway vehicles.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine traffic held UP by an accident, or money held UP by a robber.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTRUCTION IS A PHYSICAL BLOCKAGE; ROBBERY IS FORCED EXTRACTION
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'задерживать' как глагол
- В русском 'ограбление' не имеет связи с 'задержкой'
- Разделять значения: задержка движения vs вооружённое ограбление
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hold-up' as a verb without hyphen
- Confusing with phrasal verb 'hold up'
- Spelling as 'holdup' (less common)
- Misinterpreting criminal meaning as delay
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hold-up' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a noun meaning delay or robbery, it is typically hyphenated. The verb form 'hold up' is two words.
Context is key. If talking about traffic, projects, or bureaucracy, it's delay. If discussing crime, police, or banks, it's robbery.
The 'delay' meaning is acceptable in neutral/business contexts. The 'robbery' meaning is more formal/law enforcement terminology.
'Hold-up' implies an obstruction or something preventing progress, while 'delay' is broader and can include voluntary postponement.