What is the difference between a robbery and a hold-up? Is it that hold-up involves restraining the people by keeping them a a gun point while robbery does not have to involve the element of thread?
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What is the difference between a robbery and a hold-up? Is it that hold-up involves restraining the people by keeping them a a gun point while robbery does not have to involve the element of thread?
Hello Magdalena,
I would say that "hold-up" is a subset of "robbery". A "hold-up" generally takes place on official premises, such as a bank or jewelry shop; or it involves vehicles in transit between such places; it also implies the use of firearms or at least weapons of some kind.
"Robbery" on the other hand can also include e.g. a confrontation in a dark alley, where someone relieves you of your valuables with the mere threat of a beating up.
Best wishes,
MrP
I tolld my students that if someone runs up to you and snatches your bag away that's robbery but if they keep you at a gunpoint it's a hold-up. So my explanation was ok, thanks.:lol:
I think those are good examples.
The sense of "hold-up" might be memorised by thinking of the passengers of a stagecoach with their hands held up in submission, as the perpetrators point their guns at them.
Best wishes,
MrP