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B2At the Airport

Understanding 'Hold Up' at the Airport

Phrasal Verb: hold up |Grammar: Passive Voice

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'hold up' in the context of airport delays and be able to form sentences in the passive voice to describe such situations.

Article

At busy airports, flights are often held up due to various reasons. For example, flights can be held up by weather conditions such as heavy fog or storms. Security checks are sometimes held up when extra screening is required, causing passengers to wait longer than expected. Occasionally, luggage handling is held up because of technical problems with conveyor belts. These delays are usually caused by factors outside the control of the airline. When passengers are held up, they are usually informed by airport staff about the reasons for the delay and the estimated waiting time. It is important to stay calm and patient because these situations are often unavoidable. Notices about flights being held up are posted on screens and announced regularly. In many cases, airport staff are held up attending to urgent issues, which can slow down the overall process. Understanding how and why flights and passengers are held up can help travellers better prepare for their journey.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Hold up' means to cause a delay or to be delayed.

Grammar Note

The passive voice is used to focus on the action or the event rather than who performs it. It is formed by using the verb 'to be' + past participle, e.g., 'Flights are held up due to weather.'

Usage Tips

  • Use the passive voice to emphasise the delay rather than who caused it.
  • Remember 'hold up' can be separable but is often used in passive form as 'be held up'.
  • Use 'hold up' when talking about unexpected delays or interruptions.

Examples

The flight was held up by a technical issue with the plane.

Flight delay due to technical problems

Passengers were held up at security because of extra checks.

Delay caused by security procedures

Baggage handling was held up after the conveyor belt broke down.

Delay in luggage processing

The boarding process was held up due to a late arrival of the crew.

Delay caused by staff arrival

Flights are often held up during bad weather conditions.

General statement about weather delays

Dialogue

Context: Two passengers discuss why their flight has been delayed at the airport.

A:
Have you heard why the flight is held up?
B:
Yes, I was told it’s because the runway was held up by maintenance work.
A:
That explains the delay. How long do you think we'll be held up?
B:
The staff said we might be held up for at least an hour.
A:
I hope the delay isn’t held up any longer than that.
B:
Me too. At least we’re kept informed about what’s going on.

Vocabulary

Delay
A period of time by which something is late or postponed
Example: The flight experienced a delay due to bad weather.
Synonym: Postponement
Luggage
Bags and suitcases that travellers carry
Example: Make sure your luggage is labelled clearly.
Synonym: Baggage
Security check
The process of inspecting passengers and luggage for safety
Example: Passengers waited in line for the security check.
Synonym: Screening
Conveyor belt
A moving belt that carries luggage at airports
Example: The luggage was placed on the conveyor belt.
Synonym: Moving belt
Maintenance
The process of keeping equipment in good condition
Example: The runway was closed for maintenance work.
Synonym: Upkeep
Crew
People who work on a plane, such as pilots and flight attendants
Example: The crew arrived late, which caused a delay.
Synonym: Staff
Passenger
A person travelling in a vehicle, such as a plane
Example: Passengers were informed about the delay.
Synonym: Traveller
Announcement
A public statement or message
Example: An announcement was made about the flight delay.
Synonym: Notice
Technical issue
A problem related to machinery or equipment
Example: The flight was held up because of a technical issue.
Synonym: Malfunction
Fog
A thick cloud of tiny water droplets near the ground
Example: Flights were held up due to heavy fog.
Synonym: Mist

Tips

  • Always use the passive voice when the focus is on the delay, not who caused it.
  • Listen for announcements at the airport to hear 'hold up' used naturally.
  • Avoid confusing 'hold up' with 'hold on' – 'hold up' means delay, not to wait briefly.

Summary

In this lesson, students learned the meaning and use of the phrasal verb 'hold up' in the context of airport delays. They practised forming sentences in the passive voice to describe situations where flights or passengers are delayed. Understanding these expressions helps travellers communicate clearly about common problems at the airport.

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