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English verb: hold up

1. hold up (contact) be the physical support of; carry the weight of


SamplesThe beam holds up the roof.
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam.
What's holding that mirror?.


Synonymshold, support, sustain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)block, brace, bracket, buoy, buoy up, carry, chock, pole, prop, prop up, scaffold, shore, shore up, truss, underpin

2. hold up (perception) hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)display, exhibit, expose

3. hold up (change) cause to be slowed down or delayed


SamplesTraffic was delayed by the bad weather.
She delayed the work that she didn't want to perform.


Synonymsdelay, detain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)decelerate, retard, slow, slow down, slow up


Narrower (hyponym)buy time, catch, stall, stonewall


Antonymshurry, rush

4. hold up (possession) rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat


Synonymsstick up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)rob


Narrower (hyponym)mug


Entailassail, assault, attack, set on


Domain categorycrime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense

5. hold up (stative) continue to live through hardship or adversity


SamplesWe went without water and food for 3 days.
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America.
The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents.
How long can a person last without food and water?.


ExamplesThe business is going to hold up


Synonymsendure, go, hold out, last, live, live on, survive


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)hold up, hold water, live out, perennate, stand up


Entailbe, live


Verb groupbe, exist, live, live, subsist, survive

6. hold up (stative) resist or confront with resistance


SamplesThe politician defied public opinion.
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear.
The bridge held.


Synonymsdefy, hold, withstand


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)hold out, resist, stand firm, withstand


Narrower (hyponym)brave, brave out, endure, weather

7. hold up (stative) resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.


SamplesHer shoes won't hold up.
This theory won't hold water.


Synonymshold water, stand up


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)endure, go, hold out, hold up, last, live, live on, survive









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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