What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heist
Example
The museum heist was one of the most daring robberies in history. [heist: noun]
Example
The thieves carefully planned the heist for months before executing it. [heist: noun]
holdup
Example
The convenience store was the site of a holdup last night. [holdup: noun]
Example
The robbers held up the bank with guns and demanded all the cash. [held up: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Holdup is more commonly used in everyday language than heist. Holdup is a more general term that can refer to various types of theft or robbery, while heist is a more specific term that is often associated with high-profile or daring thefts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between heist and holdup?
Both heist and holdup are informal terms that are typically used in casual conversation or media reports. However, heist may be slightly more formal due to its association with larger-scale and planned thefts.
