vil
Key Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2007
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Bulgarian
- Home Country
- Bulgaria
- Current Location
- Bulgaria
Dear teachers,
Yesterday I read a sentence which comprise the expression “held up” with the humdrum meaning “delayed, postponed, or obstruct, cause to be slowed down or delayed ”
“Owing to the heavy rain traffic was held up for more than an hour.” and later on
“We were held up in traffic”
This morning I read another sentence with the same expression but with a different meaning.
Hold it up so that I can see it. (hold it high).
… and later on …
Hold up your head (keep your head up)
hold up one's head. Behave proudly; maintain one's dignity. For example,
After the bankruptcy Mr. Jones still held his head high (up), or
Grandma told Brian he could hold his head up because he'd tried extremely hard, or
After that newspaper article, I'm not sure I'll ever hold up my head again.
All these expressions allude to a posture of pride.
A few hours later I read another sentence.
The gangsters held up the bank. ( robbed the bank ) and
He was held up in a dark alley, with no help nearby.
Would you explain to me how can I get out of the wood?
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Regards.
V.
Yesterday I read a sentence which comprise the expression “held up” with the humdrum meaning “delayed, postponed, or obstruct, cause to be slowed down or delayed ”
“Owing to the heavy rain traffic was held up for more than an hour.” and later on
“We were held up in traffic”
This morning I read another sentence with the same expression but with a different meaning.
Hold it up so that I can see it. (hold it high).
… and later on …
Hold up your head (keep your head up)
hold up one's head. Behave proudly; maintain one's dignity. For example,
After the bankruptcy Mr. Jones still held his head high (up), or
Grandma told Brian he could hold his head up because he'd tried extremely hard, or
After that newspaper article, I'm not sure I'll ever hold up my head again.
All these expressions allude to a posture of pride.
A few hours later I read another sentence.
The gangsters held up the bank. ( robbed the bank ) and
He was held up in a dark alley, with no help nearby.
Would you explain to me how can I get out of the wood?
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Regards.
V.