shore up

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shore up

The workers shore up the old building with wooden beams.

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.
shore up

The workers shore up the old building with wooden beams.

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

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