hold up as

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To purport that (someone) is an example of (something, usually positive).

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Judge Gilligan has been held up as a shining example of judicial restraint.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hold up as” mean?

To purport that (someone) is an example of (something, usually positive).

Is “hold up as” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.