hold up
SeparableThe object can go before or after the particle — but a pronoun MUST go in the middle: “clean it up”, never “clean up it”.
How to say it
Stress the particle, not the verb: hold UP. Saying “HOLD up” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.
Link across the gap. The final /d/ of “hold” moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “hold up” is said “hol-dup”. Pausing between the words is what makes phrasal verbs sound recited rather than spoken.
Verb vs noun
As a noun the stress flips to the front: the verb is hold UP, the noun is HOLDUP. Same two words, different beat — “to hold UP” is the action, “a holdup” is the thing. Getting this backwards makes the sentence land oddly even when every sound is right.
3 meanings
- 1
To delay someone or something.
- “I'm sorry I'm late. I was held up in traffic.”
- “What's holding up the shipment?”
Similar: delay, detain
- 2
To rob a place using a weapon.
- “Two men held up the bank on Fifth Street.”
Similar: rob
- 3
To remain valid or in good condition.
- “Her testimony held up under cross-examination.”
Similar: stand up, endure