hold-up

[/ˈhoʊld.ʌp/]

nounpl: hold-ups

assalto à mão armada; atraso

1. A robbery, especially at gunpoint

The bank experienced a hold-up yesterday afternoon.

O banco sofreu um assalto à mão armada ontem à tarde.

2. A delay or obstruction that prevents progress

Traffic congestion caused a hold-up on the highway.

O congestionamento de trânsito causou um atraso na rodovia.

NYC Slang

stick-up (for robbery context); gridlock (for traffic delay context)

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

assalto à mão armada; engarrafamento

Common usage for robbery and traffic delays

Portugal

assalto; demora

Slightly more formal register than Brazilian Portuguese

São Paulo

assalto; congestionamento

Urban context, especially in traffic situations

to cause a hold-up

to prevent a hold-up

no holds barred (different but related expression)

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