the difference between two phrasal verbs

[eagerlearner]

Hi, guys!

I've got a question.

There are two phrasal verbs 'hold back' and 'hold up', in general I understand their meanings but sometimes I become a bit confused, for example, which way would be correct to say?

1. I'm sorry, I'm late. I was held up by the traffic.
1. I'm sorry, I'm late. I was held back by the traffic.

Or both ways are acceptable?

[Joe]

Not really the same.

hold up = delay
hold back = obstruct

I'm sorry, I'm late. I was held up by the traffic.
I'm sorry, I'm late. The traffic held me up.

But "hold sby back" is a deliberate obstruction and completely blocks you. For example:

After the accident, the police held us back and we had to wait until they finished clearing the road.

or

I wanted to enter my house but the soldiers held me back.

[phrasalverbs]

Joe has already provided a perfect explanation.

I only want to add that englichclub has a great lists of phrasal verbs with samples
You can find them here:
https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/ ... s-list.htm

You also can also find lists of phrasal verbs with many samples of how to use them here:
www.usefulphrasalverbs.com

[eagerlearner]

Not really the same.

hold up = delay
hold back = obstruct

I'm sorry, I'm late. I was held up by the traffic.
I'm sorry, I'm late. The traffic held me up.

But "hold sby back" is a deliberate obstruction and completely blocks you. For example:

After the accident, the police held us back and we had to wait until they finished clearing the road.

or

I wanted to enter my house but the soldiers held me back.

Joe, thank you very much! You've explained it perfectly!

[eagerlearner]

Joe has already provided a perfect explanation.

I only want to add that englichclub has a great lists of phrasal verbs with samples
You can find them here:
https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/ ... s-list.htm

You also can also find lists of phrasal verbs with many samples of how to use them here:
www.usefulphrasalverbs.com

Thank you very much!