hold up

verb

1. Be the physical support of; carry the weight of

   “The beam holds up the roof”

   “He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam”

   “What's holding that mirror?”

   Similar: 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 delayed by the bad weather”

   “she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform”

   Similar: delay, detain

4. Rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat

   Similar: stick up

5. Continue to live and avoid dying

   “We went without water and food for 3 days”

   “These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America”

   “The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents”

   Similar: survive, last, live, live on, go, endure

6. Resist or confront with resistance

   “The politician defied public opinion”

   “The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear”

   “The bridge held”

   Similar: defy, withstand, hold

7. Resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.

   “Her shoes won't hold up”

   “This theory won't hold water”

   Similar: stand up, hold water