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1. Robbery at gunpoint
   - armed robbery, heist [informal], stickup
    
2. The act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
   - delay

1. Be the physical support of; carry the weight of
   "The beam holds up the roof";
   - hold, support, sustain
    
2. Hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration
    
3. Cause to be slowed down or delayed
   "Traffic was held up by the bad weather";
   - delay, detain
    
4. (crime) rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat
   - stick up
    
5. Continue to live and avoid dying
   "These superstitions hold up in the backwaters of America";
   - survive, last, live, live on, go, endure, hold out
    
6. Resist or confront with resistance
   "The politician held up public opinion";
   - defy, withstand, hold
    
7. Resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
   "Her shoes won't hold up";
   - stand up, hold water

Derived forms: holding up, holdups, held up, holds up

See also: keep

Type of: decelerate, display, dispute [archaic], exhibit, expose, hold out, inactivity, resist, retard, rob, robbery, slow, slow down, slow up, stand firm, withstand

Encyclopedia: Holdup