Holdup: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used for a situation where something or someone is delayed or held back, but it can also refer to an armed robbery.

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• 'There was a holdup in traffic this morning
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• 'The bank holdup was over in minutes
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A general term for the act of taking something from someone by force or threat of force. It can be used in most contexts involving theft with violence or intimidation.

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• 'The store suffered a robbery last night
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• 'He was arrested for robbery
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Used to describe a large-scale and often well-planned robbery, usually involving significant amounts of money or valuable items.

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• 'The diamond heist made headlines around the world
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• 'They planned the museum heist for months
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An informal term for a robbery, usually by someone with a gun or another weapon, often used in casual or colloquial speech.

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• 'The stick-up happened at the corner store
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• 'He got caught after the stick-up at the gas station
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Used informally to refer to a situation where something is being delayed or stopped, often due to an unforeseen issue.

• There was a holdup at the bank this morning
• | The construction work faced a holdup due to bad weather

General term to describe any situation where something happens later than expected or planned, without implying the cause.

• The flight was delayed by two hours
• | There was a delay in the delivery of the package

Something that blocks your way or prevents progress, often physical, but can also be used metaphorically.

• The fallen tree was an obstacle on the road
• | She overcame many obstacles to achieve her goals

Refers to something that makes it more difficult for a desired result to be achieved, with a slight negative connotation.

• Poor weather conditions are a hindrance to our progress
• | His lack of experience was a hindrance in the competition

Used mainly to describe a situation where progress is stopped or slowed down, often because of unforeseen obstacles or problems. It can also mean a robbery or heist, which gives it a slightly negative tone.

• There was a holdup in the construction due to bad weather.
• The bank was the victim of a holdup yesterday.

Refers to a postponement or interruption in time, often due to minor issues or scheduling conflicts. It is neutral in tone.

• The flight was subject to a two-hour delay due to technical issues.
• Please inform us of any delay in your arrival.

Describes something that obstructs or slows down progress, often more severely or significantly than 'delay'. It has a somewhat negative connotation.

• Injuries can impede an athlete's career.
• Poor weather conditions impeded the rescue efforts.

Describes actions or factors that cause difficulty or obstruction in progress, often with a sense that these are intentional or significant. This word has a mildly negative connotation.

• His lack of experience may hinder his ability to complete the project.
• The heavy traffic was hindering our progress.