hold up - Definition & Meaning | VisualLang Dictionary

hold up

Third Person

holds up

Present Participle

holding up

Past Tense

held up

Past Participle

held up

to delay the progress of something

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

to provide support or lift to something or someone, often by bearing the weight or preventing it from falling or collapsing

The strong pillars held up the weight of the bridge.
The safety harness held up the worker on the high-rise construction site.
The scaffolding was designed to hold the workers up while they painted the building.
The strong branches of the tree held up the tire swing.
The wall can hold up the heavy bookshelves.

Synonyms:

to showcase a particular person or thing as a reference or representation of a specific quality, idea, or standard

The teacher held the A-grade essay up as an example of exceptional writing.
During the presentation, the speaker held up successful entrepreneurs as models of achievement.
The artist held up her latest painting as a reflection of her unique style.
The chef held the award-winning dish up as an example of culinary excellence.
The CEO often holds up the company's early success as a case study in innovation.

to rob a bank, shop, or similar place using a firearm, usually with a threat of violence

The criminals decided to hold up the convenience store, demanding cash from the terrified clerk.
The bank was held up by masked individuals armed with firearms.
The masked robbers held up the jewelry store, causing panic among the customers.
The masked gunmen held up the armored truck on its way to the casino.
The criminal held up a liquor store late at night when there were fewer witnesses.

Synonyms:

to stay strong and continue working effectively, even when facing challenges

Synonyms:

to fulfill one's obligations or responsibilities in order to ensure the success or completion of an agreement or task

I will hold my end of the deal up by delivering the project on time.
He always holds up his responsibilities at work, making him a reliable team member.
They are currently holding up their responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition.
The team has held up its end of the bargain by meeting all the project milestones.
She held up her promise to support us during the challenging times.

(of theories, arguments, etc.) to remain consistent, logical, or convincing over time

Even after years of scrutiny, her research findings continue to hold up.
The scientific theory has held up under rigorous testing and scrutiny.
His explanation for the phenomenon surprisingly held up during further investigations.
The principles of democracy continue to hold up as a resilient form of governance.

(of artistic works) to avoid the perception of being outdated by remaining good and relevant

Despite being released decades ago, the classic novel's themes and characters still hold up well.
The humor in the sitcom, even after many years, holds up and remains enjoyable.
The design of the vintage car surprisingly holds up against modern aesthetic standards.
Although created in the early 20th century, the painting's beauty and meaning continue to hold up.
The melody and lyrics of the old song still hold up as timeless and emotionally resonant.

(in the game of Bridge) to not play a winning card for strategic reasons

During the game, she decided to hold up the King until the crucial moment.
The player held up the Queen, waiting for the opponent's move before playing it.
To maintain control, the team chose to hold up the high cards until later in the hand.
He held up the Ace, strategically biding his time for a more advantageous play.
The skilled player knew when to hold up and when to play the winning card.