heave up
Definition
- Verb (transitive or intransitive):
- To lift or elevate something, especially with effort or force. Often implies a strenuous upward movement, typically from a lower position.
- To cause one's stomach or chest to rise and fall, especially as if about to vomit.
Usage
- The verb "heave up" is used to describe the action of lifting something heavy or the physical reaction of retching.
- It often conveys a sense of strain or difficulty in the lifting motion.
- It can be used both with an object (transitive) and without one (intransitive).
Examples
- Transitive use (with an object):
- The sailors struggled to heave up the heavy anchor.
- With a great effort, they heaved up the fallen beam to free the trapped animal.
- Intransitive use (without an object):
- The smell was so foul it made him heave up.
- Feeling seasick, she leaned over the rail, heaving up.
Advanced Usage
- "Heave up" can be used figuratively to describe bringing something to the surface or into view, often with difficulty.
- The investigation finally heaved up the truth about the scandal.
- In nautical contexts, it specifically refers to raising an anchor or sail.
Variants and Related Words
- Heave (verb): The base form, meaning to lift, throw, or utter something with great effort. (e.g., )
- Heave-ho (noun, informal): A cry made when pulling something in unison, or dismissal from a job. (e.g., )
- Upheave (verb, literary): To heave or lift up, especially by geological force.
Synonyms
- Hoist: To raise or lift, especially with mechanical help.
- Haul up: To pull something up, often with a rope.
- Raise: To move to a higher position.
- Retch: To make the sound and movement of vomiting (specifically for the intransitive use related to nausea).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Heave to (nautical): To bring a ship to a stop, especially by turning into the wind and adjusting the sails.
- The captain ordered the crew to heave to during the storm.
- Heave in sight: To come into view, especially of a ship.
- A sail heaved in sight on the horizon.
Related Idioms
- Heave a sigh: To sigh deeply, often expressing relief, sadness, or exhaustion.
- She heaved a sigh of relief when the exam was over.
- Give something a heave: To make an effort to lift or move something.
- Come on, give it a heave! We can move this if we all try.
Verb
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lift or elevate