Definition

1. Verb:
   • To support or strengthen something, especially something that is weak or likely to fail: The phrase "shore up" means to provide support to make something more stable, secure, or stronger. It often implies preventing collapse or decline by adding external reinforcement.

Usage

• The core meaning is to provide structural or metaphorical support to prevent failure.
• It is a transitive phrasal verb, requiring a direct object (the thing being supported).
• Commonly used in both literal (physical) and figurative (non-physical) contexts.

Examples

• Literal (Physical Support):
  • The construction crew used wooden beams to shore up the sagging wall.
  • They had to shore up the riverbank to prevent further erosion.
• Figurative (Non-Physical Support):
  • The government introduced new policies to shore up the struggling economy.
  • She tried to shore up her friend's confidence before the big presentation.

Advanced Usage

• "to shore up one's position": to consolidate or strengthen one's standing in a debate, competition, or job.
  • The candidate gave a strong speech to shore up her position within the party.
• "to shore up defenses": to reinforce protective measures, whether military, digital, or legal.
  • The company is working to shore up its cybersecurity defenses.

Variants and Related Words

• Shore (verb): The base verb, less common alone, meaning to support with or as if with a shore (a prop).
• Buttress (verb): To support or strengthen. Often used similarly in figurative contexts (e.g., to buttress an argument).
• Reinforce (verb): To strengthen with additional support. A close synonym.
• Bolster (verb): To support or strengthen; to prop up. A very close synonym in figurative use.

Synonyms

• Prop up
• Strengthen
• Support
• Underpin
• Fortify

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Prop up: Has a very similar meaning to "shore up," often used interchangeably, especially in figurative contexts.
  • The central bank acted to prop up the currency.
• Hold up: Can mean to support physically, but more commonly means to delay or to remain strong under pressure.
  • These columns hold up the entire roof. (Note: different nuance than "shore up," which implies adding new support to something failing).

Related Idioms

• "To stop the bleeding": An idiom with a similar figurative sense of taking action to prevent further loss or decline, often in financial contexts.
  • The new CEO's strategy was designed to stop the bleeding and shore up company finances.

Verb

1. support by placing against something solid or rigid
   • shore and buttress an old building