Cool MateHold up vs Stop
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Stop
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most formal: StopMost common: Stop
| Hold up | Stop | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ʌp//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ʌp// | 🇬🇧 /["/stɒp/","/stɒps/","/stɒpt/","/ˈstɒpɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɑːp/","/stɑːps/","/stɑːpt/","/ˈstɑːpɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To stop or delay something. | To not continue moving or doing something. |
| Example | Can you hold up for a moment? | Please stop talking during the movie. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hold up a sign, hold up traffic, hold up someone | abruptly, dead, immediately, can, try to, be going to, from, know how to stop, know when to stop, abruptly, dead, immediately, can, try to, be going to, from, know how to stop, know when to stop, abruptly, dead, immediately, can, try to, be going to, from, know how to stop, know when to stop, abruptly, dead, immediately, can, try to, be going to, from, know how to stop, know when to stop |
| Antonyms | speed up, continue | go, continue, proceed |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hold back' which means to restrain., Incorrectly using it as 'held up by' instead of 'held up due to'. | 'Stop' is sometimes used incorrectly as an adjective (e.g., 'a stop sign')., Confusing 'stop' with 'stopping' when referring to future actions., Using 'stop' in the past tense without 'ed' for things that have already finished. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation; can be appropriate for situations involving delays or interruptions. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'stop' when you want someone to cease an action. It's common in everyday conversation, but it's less formal than 'cease.' Avoid using it in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold up vs Stop
What's the difference between Hold up and Stop?
Hold up: To stop or delay something. Stop: To not continue moving or doing something.
Which is more formal: Hold up and Stop?
Stop is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hold up and Stop?
Stop is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold up: Can you hold up for a moment? Stop: Please stop talking during the movie.
Can I use Hold up and Stop interchangeably?
Not always. Hold up and Stop 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.