Hold up means I'm deep in trouble (6)
I believe the answer is:
impede
'hold up' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'i'm deep in trouble' is the wordplay.
'in trouble' indicates anagramming the letters.
'deep' anagrammed gives 'pede'.
'im'+'pede'='IMPEDE'
'means' is the link.
(Other definitions for impede that I've seen before include "Hinder, create obstacle" , "Hinder, form an obstacle to" , "Hamper" , "Obstruct, hold up progress" , "Handicap" .)