stickup
or stick-up
[ stik-uhp ]
/ ˈstɪkˌʌp /
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noun Informal.
a holdup; robbery.
QUIZZES
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of stickup
First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase stick up
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for stickup
British Dictionary definitions for stickup
stick-up
noun
slang, mainly US a robbery at gunpoint; hold-up
verb stick up (adverb)
(tr) slang, mainly US to rob, esp at gunpoint
(intr foll by for) informal to support or defendstick up for oneself
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with stickup
stick up
Project from a surface, as in That little cowlick of his sticks up no matter what you do. [Early 1400s]
Put up a poster or notice, as in Will you stick up this announcement on the bulletin board? [Late 1700s]
Rob, especially at gunpoint, as in The gang concentrated on sticking up liquor stores and gas stations. This usage, dating from the mid-1800s, gave rise to the colloquial phrase, stick 'em up, a robber's order to a victim to raise his or her hands above the head. [1930s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.