Hold-up

A 'hold-up' refers to a robbery or the act of committing a crime by threatening someone with violence or the use of a weapon, often to steal money or valuables. It can also broadly describe a delay or obstruction, hindering progress or preventing something from happening as planned. In the context of a robbery, the term emphasizes the intimidation and forceful nature of the event. Alternatively, it can depict a period of time when activity is paused, such as a delay in a meeting or an interruption in services. The specific meaning is determined by the surrounding context.

Hold-up meaning with examples

• The bank teller was terrified during the hold-up, as the robber brandished a pistol and demanded all the cash. Witnesses described the hold-up as a swift and brutal event, causing significant trauma. Law enforcement is investigating the hold-up, hoping to identify and apprehend the perpetrators based on security camera footage and eyewitness accounts. The hold-up caused widespread panic throughout the financial district, resulting in the temporary closure of surrounding businesses.
• There was a hold-up on the freeway due to an accident, causing traffic to back up for miles. The hold-up in the project timeline, because of supply chain disruptions, meant the launch would be delayed. The government announced the hold-up in budget allocation, which would put pressure on the program's success. Persistent technical issues caused a frustrating hold-up during the live broadcast, disrupting the broadcast schedule.
• News reports highlighted a series of hold-ups targeting jewelry stores, prompting heightened security measures. Security guards increased patrols after multiple hold-ups in the neighbourhood, trying to ensure customer safety. A daring daylight hold-up at the museum led to the theft of several priceless artifacts. Following the hold-up, police implemented a lockdown to secure the crime scene and gather evidence. The suspects in the hold-up were quickly apprehended due to quick thinking by a witness.
• After the unexpected hold-up on funding, the research team had to adjust its experimental design. Negotiations experienced a major hold-up when one of the parties raised new demands. A sudden system crash resulted in a significant hold-up to the data analysis. Poor weather was a severe hold-up for the outdoor event preparations, which resulted in changes to the location. The lack of necessary permits represented a considerable hold-up in building construction.
• The comedian used the term 'hold-up' during a joke about a long wait in line. The unexpected announcement resulted in a hold-up of all the trains and a sudden change to all travel schedules. After the hold-up, the bank invested heavily in security. The unexpected hold-up of the flight meant the travelers would miss connecting flights. The unexpected hold-up made the project cost more.