holdup

[hohld-uhp] /ˈhoʊldˌʌp/
noun
1.
a forcible stopping and robbing of a person.
2.
a stop or delay in the progress of something:
There was a holdup in the construction of the bridge.
3.
an instance of being charged excessively.
Origin
1830-40, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase hold up
Examples from the web for holdup
  • What seems to be the holdup for more widespread use of this system.
  • But there's more to the holdup than a bunch of big companies dragging their feet.
  • holdup measurements are performed to determine the amount of nuclear material in containment.
  • The holdup in making the move is typically employment opportunities.
  • Measured mixing and gas holdup for a variety of bubble-column, gas-sparger designs for an industrial customer.
  • Bath coup a holdup by declarer, to prevent an opponent from continuing a suit.
Slang definitions & phrases for holdup

holdup

modifier

: the full-fledged hold-up business

noun
  1. A robbery, esp the armed robbery of a person, bank, store, etc; stickup: Give us no nonsense. This is a holdup (1851+)
  2. The demanding of exorbitant prices, wages, etc: That was no sale, it was a holdup
  3. A delay; stoppage; cause of delay: a brief holdup in our magnificent progress/ What's the holdup? (1843+)