holdup man: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “holdup man” mean?
A person who commits armed robbery, typically by threatening victims with a weapon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who commits armed robbery, typically by threatening victims with a weapon.
A criminal who engages in robbery by force or threat of force, often in contexts like bank robberies, street muggings, or store hold-ups. The term emphasizes the confrontational, threatening nature of the robbery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more commonly found in American English, particularly in historical or journalistic contexts. The spelling 'hold-up man' (with hyphen) is also common.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes a stereotypical image of a gun-wielding criminal. In British English, it might sound slightly more Americanized or like period slang.
Frequency
More frequent in American English. In contemporary British English, terms like 'robber', 'armed robber', or 'mugger' are more common.
Grammar
How to Use “holdup man” in a Sentence
The holdup man [verb] the [location].A holdup man with a [weapon]...Police are searching for the holdup man.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holdup man” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gang planned to holdup the security van.
- They were arrested for attempting to holdup a post office.
American English
- He decided to hold up the convenience store.
- They were convicted of holding up a bank in the 1970s.
adjective
British English
- The holdup man's description was circulated.
- It was a classic holdup man scenario.
American English
- The holdup man's getaway car was found abandoned.
- She wrote a book about holdup man legends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in security or insurance reports discussing historical incidents.
Academic
Rare; used in historical or criminological studies of crime terminology.
Everyday
Low frequency; used when describing a specific type of criminal in a narrative way.
Technical
Not used in formal legal or law enforcement terminology, which prefers 'perpetrator', 'assailant', or 'armed robber'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holdup man”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holdup man”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holdup man”
- Using 'holdup man' to refer to any thief (e.g., a pickpocket).
- Incorrect plural: 'holdups men' instead of 'holdup men'.
- Confusing it with 'hostage taker'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, somewhat journalistic or colloquial term. Formal legal and law enforcement contexts use terms like 'armed robber', 'perpetrator', or 'assailant'.
Traditionally, the term is gendered. While historically used for men, in modern usage it can be seen as non-inclusive. Terms like 'holdup artist', 'robber', or 'armed robber' are gender-neutral alternatives.
A 'holdup man' typically implies a planned robbery of a business or institution, often with a weapon. A 'mugger' usually refers to someone who robs individuals in public spaces, like streets or parks, often using surprise or threat of violence.
It peaked in usage during the early-to-mid 20th century, often in newspaper headlines and crime dramas. Changes in crime reporting language and a shift towards more technical terminology have made it less common today.
A person who commits armed robbery, typically by threatening victims with a weapon.
Holdup man: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊld ʌp ˌmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊld ʌp ˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He pulled a holdup man's stunt.”
- “It was a job for a holdup man, not a thief.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a man who HOLDS UP his hands to surrender... but in reverse: he holds UP a bank or a person to demand money.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A PERFORMANCE / THEATER (e.g., 'pulling a holdup').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate synonym for 'holdup man'?