Holdup

Holdup, or hold-up, is a term with several related but distinct meanings in English. It is commonly used as a noun to denote a delay or obstruction in progress, such as a traffic holdup or a construction project holdup. In this sense, holdup refers to a temporary stoppage that slows or halts activity.

In criminal slang, a holdup refers to a robbery committed by force or threat, typically involving a weapon. The act is usually described as someone “holding up” a person or place to steal money or valuables. Holdups are most commonly associated with banks, convenience stores, and other cash-handling venues, and are prosecuted as armed robbery or related offenses when weapons or threats are involved.

In economics, the term hold-up describes a strategic problem that arises when one party makes relation-specific investments and then becomes vulnerable to ex post bargaining by another party. This can lead to higher bargaining costs, reduced investment, and potential underutilization of assets, as one side seeks to capture more value after the investments are sunk.

Etymology and usage notes: holdup derives from the phrasal verb hold up, with holdup used as a noun in reference to both delays and robberies. The precise meaning is usually inferred from context, and the spelling holdup is common in American English for the noun form.

See also: hold-up problem, armed robbery, delay, obstruction.