In each of the following questions, an idiom or phrase is given. Choose the alternative that best expresses its meaning in simple English. The expression here is: Held up.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests understanding of English idioms and phrasal verbs. The expression held up can have more than one meaning depending on the context, so learners must choose the sense that is most commonly tested in examinations and that fits the general usage of the phrase. Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be directly guessed from the individual words, so recognising them is essential for good comprehension and fluent communication.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom given: Held up.
• Options: Kidnapped, Delayed, Caught, Nabbed.
• No specific sentence context is provided, so we assume a general situation such as travel or an activity being postponed.
• The task is to choose the meaning that is most widely associated with held up in everyday English and exam usage.

Concept / Approach:
The phrasal verb hold up has several meanings, including delay, rob at gunpoint, and support. In competitive exams, the most frequently tested meaning in general contexts is delayed. For example, we say I was held up in traffic to mean that traffic slowed or stopped progress and caused a delay. The approach is to recall which meaning makes the expression most useful in everyday sentences and which matches standard exam patterns. Since the question does not mention crime or violence, the neutral sense related to delay is the most appropriate.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the common phrase I was held up in traffic, which clearly means I was delayed by traffic. Step 2: Compare this meaning with each option. Delayed matches this sense exactly. Step 3: Consider Kidnapped, which involves illegal capture of a person, a meaning usually expressed by abducted or kidnapped rather than held up on its own. Step 4: Consider Caught and Nabbed, both of which suggest being seized or arrested, not simply delayed. Step 5: Since the most common and general exam meaning of held up is delayed, select Delayed as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, place the expression in standard sentences. For instance, the meeting was held up due to rain clearly means the meeting was delayed. Similarly, our train was held up at the station does not refer to kidnapping or arrest but to being forced to stop and wait. In news reports or stories, if the phrase is used to mean robbery, it is usually expanded as held up at gunpoint or held up by robbers. Since the question provides no such context or extra words, the neutral and common meaning delayed is confirmed as the intended one.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kidnapped: This is a strong word for unlawful capture and removal of a person and is not the usual standalone meaning of held up in neutral situations.
Caught: This can mean captured or discovered, but it does not convey the idea of being delayed by circumstances.
Nabbed: This is informal for caught or arrested and similarly does not carry the meaning of delay, which makes it inappropriate here.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to pick a dramatic or extreme meaning because it seems more interesting, even when the question provides no context to support it. Learners may also confuse held up with hold up used in the specific crime sense. It is important to remember that many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, and the safest choice in exams is usually the meaning that fits most general, neutral contexts unless the question explicitly suggests otherwise.

Final Answer:
The idiom Held up most commonly means Delayed.