Definition of the word hold up

Definition of the word hold up

Pronunciation of vocabulary hold up

hold upphrasal verb
giữ chặt
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Origin of the word hold up

The phrase "hold up" initially had two distinct meanings in English. In the mid-19th century, it referred to pausing or delaying a process or event, usually to gather more information or resources. This usage can be traced back to the expression "hold Fast" meaning to hold steadfastly or to keep a firm grip, which gradually evolved into "hold up." The second meaning of "hold up" emerged during the late 19th century, particularly in the context of robberies and holdups. In these instances, "hold up" meant to stop and demand something, typically money or valuables, at gunpoint. This more sinister usage of the term became widely popular with the rise of organized crime during the Prohibition era in the United States. Eventually, "hold up" came to encompass a broader range of situations where someone or something is restrained or delayed, including traffic congestion, construction delays, and technological malfunctions, among others.

Example of vocabulary hold upnamespace

to support somebody/something and stop them from falling

để hỗ trợ ai đó/cái gì đó và ngăn chúng khỏi bị ngã

to delay or block the movement or progress of somebody/something

trì hoãn hoặc ngăn chặn sự di chuyển hoặc tiến triển của ai đó/cái gì đó

An accident is holding up traffic.
Có một vụ tai nạn đang làm tắc nghẽn giao thông.
The project was held up by various legal problems.
Dự án bị trì hoãn do nhiều vấn đề pháp lý.

to use or present somebody/something as an example

sử dụng hoặc trình bày ai đó/cái gì đó như một ví dụ

She's always holding up her children as models of good behaviour.
Cô ấy luôn coi con mình là tấm gương về hành vi tốt.
His ideas were held up to ridicule.
Ý tưởng của ông đã bị coi là trò cười.