hold up traffic — to cause traffic to move slowly or stop completely; to delay or obstruct the flow of vehicles
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to cause traffic to move slowly or stop completely; to delay or obstruct the flow of vehicles
Pronunciation (IPA): /hoʊld ʌp ˈtræfɪk/
Example Sentences
- The celebrity's wedding convoy held up traffic for miles, making everyone late for work.
- Construction work on the highway has been holding up traffic during rush hours.
- A family of ducks crossing the street held up traffic, but everyone found it adorable.
hold up traffic
NOUN[/hoʊld ʌp ˈtræfɪk/]
to cause traffic to move slowly or stop completely; to delay or obstruct the flow of vehicles
A fallen delivery cart on the crosswalk continues to hold up traffic for blocks.
He sold up his papers, now folds up his stand, and holds up traffic across the land!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Hold derives from Old English 'healdan', meaning to grasp or keep. Up originates from Germanic roots meaning 'upward' or 'raised position'. Traffic comes from 16th-century French 'trafique' (trade), later evolving to denote the flow of vehicles or people.
Breakdown
hold (Old English 'healdan': to grasp) + up (Germanic: upward/elevated position, here meaning to stop or delay) + traffic (French 'trafique': flow of commerce, later vehicle movement). Together: to stop or impede the flow of traffic.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The celebrity's wedding convoy held up traffic for miles, making everyone late for work.”
“Construction work on the highway has been holding up traffic during rush hours.”
“A family of ducks crossing the street held up traffic, but everyone found it adorable.”
“The broken traffic light held up traffic until police arrived to direct vehicles.”
📚Related Words
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