to hold up

Examples

• All

• Please hold up the heavy box while I tape the bottom shut.

• After each present, my mother tells me to hold it up and smile.

  Academic text (2009)

• What we need to do is hold the straight stick up for them as parents.

• And so hold it up for them to see.

• Will the floor hold up?

  The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

• Surely, this class can design some paper structure that can hold up some books.

  Academic text (2007)

• You can adjust the force needed to hold the door up by turning the screw.

• Engineers have built cardboard structures so strong that they can hold up battle tanks.

  Academic text (2007)

• I open one of the aluminum packets and hold up the plastic bag inside.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The bridge was designed to hold up a lot of weight without collapsing.

Synonyms

H

to hold

vsto hold up

∞ 1.0

To carry or support something with your hands

holds up weight to stop falling by providing physical carrying

H

to hang

vsto hold up

∞ 1.0

To attach something from above so it stays up

prevents falling by bearing weight directly rather than hanging it

S

to support

vsto hold up

240 1.0

Hold up something so it does not fall

physically carries weight to prevent an item from falling

S

to stay

vsto hold up

• Specialized

82 7.7

To make something stable by fixing ropes or braces

carries weight to stop falling rather than relying on fastenings

H

to hang up

vsto hold up

69 2.3

Put something on a wall or hook so it stays off the ground

keeps weight from falling by carrying it rather than attaching above

P

to prop

vsto hold up

68 4.1

To hold something up by putting an object under or against it

carries weight directly to keep an item from falling

S

to suspend

vsto hold up

64 3.5

To hang something so it can move or swing

prevents falling by carrying weight rather than suspending from above

P

to prop up

vsto hold up

54 3.6

Support something so it does not fall or fail

carries weight to prevent falling rather than offering temporary help

S

to sustain

vsto hold up

41 4.1

To hold up something heavy so it does not fall

carries weight to prevent falling rather than only holding briefly

B

to brace up

vsto hold up

5.5

To make something strong and supported from below with extra beams

carries or holds weight to stop collapse rather than just bracing

B

to buoy up

vsto hold up

5.0

Keep someone or something floating on water

stops falling by carrying weight in air or on structure, not by floating

Antonyms

D

to drop

∞ 1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

How Supportive

to sustain

102 4.0

to prop up

54 3.6

to hold up

115 3.4

to bear

517 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology