Where does “holdup” come from?
Holdup is a compound of English hold and up, originally denoting the action of holding something upright or in position.
holdup (English): Alternative spelling of hold-up
Definitions
- Alternative spelling of hold-up
Ancestry of “holdup”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | hold-up | A delay or wait; A robbery at gunpoint; The... |
| 2 | English | hold up | To wait or delay; To impede; detain; To support... |