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got held up at work vs got kept at work

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'Got held up at work' implies that something unexpected or unavoidable made the person have to stay at work for longer than expected, while 'got kept at work' suggests that the person was intentionally made to stay at work. The choice between the two depends on the situation being described.
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Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 08, 2024 • 34811 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate being delayed or detained at work.

"got held up at work"

This phrase is used to express a situation where someone was delayed or detained at work due to unexpected circumstances.

Examples:

  • I got held up at work because of a last-minute meeting.
  • She got held up at work and missed her train.
  • He got held up at work dealing with an urgent issue.
  • They got held up at work due to a power outage.
  • We got held up at work finishing a project.
  • 6 days ago ... So many times I wanted to vote, planned on it & got held up at work. Not necessarily presidential elections, but others. I don't think I've ...
  • Apr 6, 2021 ... They put me up in a fifth-wheel at a Bluegrass campground on the river. Clint got held up at work in south Alabama. His brother Todd met me at ...
  • Aug 22, 2024 ... I got held up at work so I probably won't be there for another hour, how long has the line gotten? ... Has anybody seen how long the Linda's, ...
  • Sep 6, 2008 ... Lala got held up at work and got home twenty minutes before we had to leave, and she made it with time to spare. 3. I was NOT the only ...
  • She'd been doing most of the changing and night time routine the last two weeks, except one night when she got held up at work by a crazy patient. I checked ...
  • Mar 2, 2024 ... There is a possibility your brain mentions the options, “They are stuck in traffic” or “They got held up at work.” These are wonderful and ...
  • She got held up at work, a place she goes to make money. That's definitely a sign that she'll be late with rent.” Amanda swings back around to her desk. “You're ...
  • Oct 23, 2012 ... He was supposed to meet us at the salon but got held up at work that evening. If there aren't any photos documenting an occasion, did it ...
  • Aug 13, 2017 ... "I got held up at work." Someone probably kept talking to him at work or some task needed to be finished before he could leave work. See a ...
  • May 1, 2018 ... Maybe they stopped for groceries on the way home or got held up at work. But, 5 more minutes have gone by now and they're still not home and ...

Alternatives:

  • was delayed at work
  • was detained at work
  • was stuck at work

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It implies being intentionally made to stay at work.

"got kept at work"

This phrase is used to convey the idea that someone was made to stay at work longer than expected or desired.

Examples:

  • I got kept at work to finish a project.
  • She got kept at work for a late meeting.
  • He got kept at work by his boss.
  • They got kept at work due to a deadline.
  • We got kept at work to complete the task.
  • The occasional time he used to go out drinking he had to lie and tell her he got kept at work- late shifts so was easily believed by her. I feel sorry for ...
  • Or perhaps they got kept at work and thought it was too late to get in touch with you. It's also possible they have no excuses and have been deliberately ...
  • Feb 9, 2017 ... Or perhaps they got kept at work and thought it was too late to get in touch with you. It's also possible that your friends' responses may ...
  • May 14, 2019 ... Or perhaps they got kept at work and thought it was too late to get in touch with you. It's also possible that your friends' responses may ...
  • Nov 26, 2022 ... Or perhaps they got kept at work and thought it was too late to get in touch with you. It's also possible that your friends' responses may ...
  • Apr 8, 2023 ... Or perhaps they got kept at work and thought it was too late to get in touch with you. It's also possible that your friends' responses may ...

Alternatives:

  • was made to stay at work
  • was required to stay at work
  • was forced to stay at work

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