Hold sb up Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “Hold sb up” Mean?

“Hold sb up” means to delay or cause someone to wait. It can also mean to rob someone, especially using threats or force.

Introduction

The phrase “Hold sb up” is a common phrasal verb in English with two main meanings. First, it can mean to delay or slow someone down, causing them to wait longer than expected. For example, traffic might hold you up on your way to work. Second, it can mean to rob or threaten someone, often with a weapon, such as in a bank hold-up. The “Hold sb up meaning” depends on the context, so understanding how to use it correctly is important for clear communication. This guide will explain both meanings, provide examples, and show you how to use “Hold sb up” naturally in daily English.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Hold somebody up (hold sb up)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B1
• Short meaning: To delay someone or to rob someone

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Hold sb up” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it requires an object (someone or something). It is usually inseparable, so you cannot put the object between “hold” and “up.”

Correct structure examples:

• They held me up at the airport.
• The robbers held the bank up last night.

Incorrect structure:

• *They held up me at the airport.

How to Use “Hold sb up”?

You can use “Hold sb up” when talking about situations where someone is delayed or stopped from moving forward. For example, traffic jams, long lines, or unexpected problems can hold you up. It is also used in crime-related contexts when someone is robbed or threatened.

In everyday conversation, the delay meaning is more common, while the robbery meaning is often used in news or stories.

Examples

Imagine you are late because of traffic. You might say:

• Sorry I’m late, the traffic held me up.
• The accident held us up for over an hour.
• The bank was held up by armed robbers yesterday.
• Don’t let small problems hold you up from finishing your work.
• The delivery was held up due to bad weather.

Here are more examples of “Hold sb up in a sentence”:

• The roadworks held us up on the way home.
• He was held up at the airport because of security checks.
• They held the store up and escaped with a lot of money.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “hold sb up” with similar phrases or use incorrect word order.

• Incorrect: They held up me for two hours.
• Correct: They held me up for two hours.
• Incorrect: The traffic hold me up.
• Correct: The traffic held me up.

Remember, the object (sb) always comes right after “hold,” not after “up.”

Differences / Synonyms

“Hold sb up” can be confused with similar phrasal verbs like “hold up” (without an object) or “hold back.”

• Hold up (without object): Means to remain strong or to last. For example, “How is your old car holding up?”
• Hold back: Means to stop or restrain someone from doing something. For example, “She held back her tears.”
• Delay: A synonym for “hold sb up” when meaning to cause delay. For example, “The meeting was delayed.”
• Rob/robbery: Synonyms when “hold sb up” means to rob someone.

Understanding these differences helps avoid confusion and improves your English accuracy.

Common Collocations

“Hold sb up” often pairs with specific nouns or pronouns. Here are common collocations with explanations:

• Hold me up: Used when the speaker is delayed. “Sorry, you held me up.”
• Traffic holds you up: Traffic delays your movement.
• Bank hold-up: A robbery at a bank.
• Hold someone up at gunpoint: To rob using a weapon.
• Held up by security: Delayed due to security checks.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of hold sb up:

• Hold Out On Sb
• Hold Sth Up As Sth
• Hold With Sth
• Hold Sth To Sth
• Hold Sth In

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “Hold sb up”:

Anna: Why are you late?

Ben: Sorry, the traffic held me up on the highway.

Anna: That’s okay. I was held up at work, too.

Ben: I heard there was a bank hold-up in town yesterday.

Anna: Yes, it was on the news. Scary!

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “hold sb up”:

• The long line at the airport ______ me ______ for over an hour.
• The robbers ______ the store ______ late last night.
• Sorry I’m late; the traffic ______ me ______.
• Don’t let small problems ______ you ______ from reaching your goals.

FAQs

• Q: Can “hold sb up” mean to support someone?

  A: No, “hold sb up” means to delay or rob someone, not to support.
• Q: Is “hold sb up” separable?

  A: No, it is generally inseparable. The object comes immediately after “hold.”

• Q: Can “hold sb up” be used in the past tense?

  A: Yes, for example, “They held me up yesterday.”

• Q: What is the difference between “hold sb up” and “hold up”?

  “Hold sb up” means to delay or rob someone, while “hold up” alone can mean to remain strong or to rob (as a noun, “hold-up” means robbery).
• Q: Is “hold sb up” formal or informal?

  It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.