Expressions used in Everyday Spoken English in Social and Professional contexts
hold up/hold-up/holdup
hold uphold-upholdup
Meaning(s)
1) appear to be true in the face of critical analysis
How to MemorizePopularity MediumProfessional MediumSocial
the story/explanation holds up
Analysis
The phrasal verb 'hold up' means to remain true, vigorous or strong. An argument must be strong to 'hold up' to scrutiny. Trainers must be made well in order to 'hold up' to all the running and activity they are used for. As a noun a 'hold-up' can refer to a) a robbery or mugging conducted with a weapon or a threat of violence. b) a delay in traffic or something which causes a delay c) a ladies stocking
Social Examples (Advance)
The suspect's story holds up, said the policeman after he had spoken to eyewitnesses.
Your version of eventsjust doesn't hold up. I think you're lying!
The solicitor'sexplanation of the crime held up when investigators looked at the evidence.
Theclaims held up to scrutinyand were proved to be true.
Professional Examples (Advance)
I guarantee my work will hold up to the most intense scrutiny.
I am sorry to hold up the meeting but I have one more thing I would like to discuss.