hold up in WordNet English dictionary

1. resist or confront with resistance
   "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"
   defy  withstand  hold  hold up 
   
2. cause to be slowed down or delayed
   "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform"
   delay  detain  hold up 
   
3. continue to live through hardship or adversity
   "We went without water and food for 3 days"; "These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"; "The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents"; "how long can a person last without food and water?"
   survive  last  live  live on  go  endure  hold up  hold out 
   
4. be the physical support of; carry the weight of
   "The beam holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
   hold  support  sustain  hold up 
   
5. hold up something as an example; hold up one's achievements for admiration
   hold up 
   
6. rob at gunpoint or by means of some other threat
   hold up  stick up 
   
7. resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.
   "Her shoes won't hold up"; "This theory won't hold water"
   stand up  hold up  hold water 
   

hold up in English Wiktionary