How to Use holdup in a Sentence

holdup

1 of 2 noun
  • There have been a series of holdups at local banks.
  • But the school board isn't the only holdup for the West End.
    — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, 28 Mar. 2018
  • What have been the holdups and how far along is that process?
    — Meaghan M. McDermott, USA TODAY, 16 June 2017
  • The last holdup right now is to bring the pipeline ashore in Italy.
    — Fox News, 12 Aug. 2018
  • Flip was injured in the holdup and the wound left a scar on his hand.
    — Paula McMahon, Sun-Sentinel.com, 16 June 2017
  • However, one of the major holdups in the deal is the length.
    — Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 9 May 2020
  • What’s the holdup: The Hall has been slow to recognize the British post-punk bands.
    — Joe Kwaczala, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2022
  • Manchin has remained a key holdup to the For the People Act for months.
    — Aileen Graef, CNN, 6 June 2021
  • What did Trump officials tell OMB about the holdup of the aid?
    — Vera Bergengruen, Time, 31 Jan. 2020
  • During the holdup, Ramirez shot Baez in the head, police said.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 July 2024
  • Part of the holdup may be a second batch of store closings.
    — Maria Halkias, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2020
  • For more on that—and on the reasons for the holdup—read the rest of this article here.
    — Robert Hackett, Fortune, 25 May 2018
  • After at least four holdups in a week, the FBI says, the pair got busted.
    — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 3 Oct. 2017
  • The holdup in years past was the lack of rim protection that came with Randle at the five.
    — Fred Katz, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024
  • The holdup play of our front two (players) can improve.
    — Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2024
  • Fowler attributes some of the holdup in shipping to a change in consumer habits.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Nov. 2021
  • If the holdup is by the heater core, then that’s one reason why hot air isn’t blowing.
    — Zachary Palmer, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2018
  • During the holdup, each man was armed with a handgun, Peak said.
    — David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 Oct. 2017
  • In Freeman’s case, there was no good reason for the holdup, Boudin said.
    — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, 1 Jan. 2021
  • Why has there been a holdup in Alabama’s use of this new method?
    — Dana G. Smith, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2022
  • The holdup here is getting to the point where the inspections can begin.
    — Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2024
  • That date has come and gone; the holdup appears to be due to the death of a committee member.
    — Erik Stokstad, Science | AAAS, 20 Nov. 2019
  • Based on court records, Medei’s mental health is the major holdup.
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, 22 June 2018
  • The holdup happened at the Gulf station, 280 Greenwood Ave.
    — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, 1 Sep. 2017
  • The only holdup these days is how fast his body shop crew can convert them.
    — Cheryl Hall, Dallas News, 7 Mar. 2023
  • Paperwork holdups and the slow start of FBI background checks.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
  • What is the holdup in the delivery of American weapons?
    — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2022
  • And so the $4.2-billion question in Sacramento right now is this: What’s the holdup?
    — John Myers Sacramento Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2022
  • There was so much damage to the property that the landlords have been working on now for the last five or six months...so that has really been what's been the holdup for us, and it's caused a lot of pain and anguish.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But paperwork holdups, including slower-than-expected FBI background checks, could get in the way of that time frame.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025

hold up

2 of 2 verb
  • Plus the shelves can hold up to a total of 12 pairs of shoes.
    — L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2023
  • The tote bag is huge, holding up to 20 pounds worth of items.
    — Sanah Faroke, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2024
  • The Padres still need to prove the pitching can hold up against the Dodgers, the bullies in blue.
    — San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2022
  • The poles are supposed to hold the lines, the lines are not supposed to hold up the poles.
    — Alexandra Koch, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The bamboo shoe rack has two tiers and holds up to 40 pounds.
    — Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024
  • The tannins are a bit chewy but will hold up to thick cuts of beef.
    — Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2022
  • Trump will hold up his right hand and place his left on a Bible.
    — Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The slide holds up to 200 pounds at a time and comes with a repair kit, just in case.
    — Chauntel Brusie, Parents, 7 June 2024
  • The board chair will step up to the microphone, and hold up her glass.
    — Roger Valdez, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
  • The case holds up to 28 hours with ANC off or 22 hours with it active.
    — PCMAG, 26 Jan. 2024
  • One bold soul held up a poster that showed the face of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the young man who had shot Trump.
    — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024
  • The lightweight and breathable hat held up well to the elements on the cruise.
    — Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024
  • The black piece of glass [holds up his cell phone] is the worst addiction.
    — David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Is Chase Young holding up his end of the bargain in the trenches?
    — Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
  • Maryland shot 50% for the game, yet couldn’t hold up down low against the Gamecocks.
    — Pete Iacobelli, oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2023
  • The fabric held up well in the wash with no rips or snags throughout the month-long test.
    — Deanne Revel, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2024
  • The hidden storage and shelves can each hold up to 45 pounds.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2022
  • The stitches were evenly spaced, and the tension held up just fine.
    — Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2023
  • There is a risk his hitting doesn't hold up in the majors.
    — The Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2022
  • One side holds up to 10 pairs of shoes, while the other can be used for clothes, bags, or hats.
    — Shea Simmons, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Because none could hold up to Rosalynn, the love of his life.
    — Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
  • But there’s no better wake-up call than a close friend with the courage to hold up the mirror.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But all the preparedness didn’t hold up as waves of fans logged on.
    — Quartz, 16 Nov. 2022
  • Just hook around the legs of a headrest—these bad boys are rated to hold up to 13 pounds each.
    — Charles Dryer and Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 7 July 2022
  • The pink cubes of tuna were fresh, the guacamole was citrusy and bright, and the chips held up well to the toppings.
    — Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The skillet holds up to 12 ounces and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, on a grill, or even over a campfire.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The issue threatened to hold up approval of the project’s second phase.
    — Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2023
  • Both of his sons smiled in the photo, with one holding up his hand for the picture.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • And don’t let the small straps fool you — they are designed to hold up and support even big girls.
    — Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023
  • Higher proof bourbons hold up well to dilution, while those with pronounced spice or sweetness enhance the classic cocktail’s complexity.
    — Emily Price, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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