hold-up

/ˈhəʊld.ʌp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhoʊld.ʌp/ (ame, ipa)

hold-up — noun

1. a situation that causes something to happen later than planned, often because of

1.名詞B1
釋義

a situation that causes something to happen later than planned, often because of a problem or obstacle

例句

A broken water pipe caused a two-hour hold-up at the train station yesterday morning.

hold-up at [place] — location of the delay

The construction work on the bridge is causing major hold-ups for morning commuters.

同義詞
  • delay

    the most general word; 'hold-up' emphasises an unexpected problem causing the delay

  • setback

    suggests a delay that affects progress, especially towards a goal

  • snag

    a small unexpected problem that causes a short delay

文法句型

hold-up + in [noun phrase]

there is a hold-up

用法筆記

Countable noun — you can say 'a hold-up' or 'hold-ups'. Common with prepositions 'in' (hold-up in traffic) and 'at' (hold-up at the airport). Often follows 'sorry for the hold-up' in polite apologies.

常見錯誤

❌The hold-up was because of raining.
✅The hold-up was because of the rain.
💡Use a noun or noun phrase after 'because of', not a verb.

2. a robbery in which someone steals from a place or person by showing a weapon and

2.名詞B2
釋義

a robbery in which someone steals from a place or person by showing a weapon and demanding money or valuables

例句

Three masked men carried out a hold-up at the downtown bank shortly before noon.

carry out a hold-up — verb collocation for committing this crime

The store clerk was terrified during the hold-up but no one was physically hurt.

同義詞
  • robbery

    broader term — includes any theft from a person or place, with or without a weapon

  • armed robbery

    more formal legal term that specifies a weapon was used

  • heist

    informal, often used for a carefully planned robbery of a large amount of money or valuables

用法筆記

More common in US English than British English, where 'robbery' or 'armed robbery' is often preferred. Frequently appears in news reports and police statements.

常見錯誤

❌There was a hold-up at the bank and the robber used a knife.
✅There was a hold-up at the bank, and the robber threatened the teller with a gun.
💡'hold-up' implies a weapon, traditionally a gun. For other types of theft, use 'robbery'.

3. long women's stockings that stay in position on the legs using a band of elastic

3.名詞C1
釋義

long women's stockings that stay in position on the legs using a band of elastic or sticky material at the top, without needing a separate garter belt

例句

Hold-up stockings are popular because they stay up without a garter belt.

hold-up stockings — the full compound noun

Élise bought black hold-up stockings to wear with her evening dress at the wedding party.

同義詞
  • thigh-highs

    more common term in American English for the same garment

  • stay-ups

    alternative British brand-style name; interchangeable with hold-up stockings

用法筆記

Commonly used as a compound noun 'hold-up stockings' or 'hold-ups'. In British English, also called 'stay-ups'. Less common in American English, where 'thigh-highs' is the more typical term.

hold-up — phrasal verb