Cool MateHold up vs Interrupt
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Interrupt
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: Interrupt
| Hold up | Interrupt | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ʌp//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ʌp// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To stop or delay something. | to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something |
| Example | Can you hold up for a moment? | Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hold up a sign, hold up traffic, hold up someone | impatiently, rudely, angrily, be sorry to, (not) dare (to), with, get interrupted |
| Antonyms | speed up, continue | listen, allow, support |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hold back' which means to restrain., Incorrectly using it as 'held up by' instead of 'held up due to'. | Using 'interrupt' incorrectly when meaning to 'wait' or 'pause'., Confusing 'interrupt' with 'interject', which implies a more formal or thoughtful interruption., Saying 'interrupting to someone' instead of 'interrupting someone'. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation; can be appropriate for situations involving delays or interruptions. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'interrupt' when talking about breaking into someone's conversation or action. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious in formal settings as it may be seen as rude if done excessively. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold up vs Interrupt
What's the difference between Hold up and Interrupt?
Hold up: To stop or delay something. Interrupt: to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something
Which is more formal: Hold up and Interrupt?
Interrupt is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold up: Can you hold up for a moment? Interrupt: Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking.
Can I use Hold up and Interrupt interchangeably?
Not always. Hold up and Interrupt are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.