prop up

phrasal-verb
UK: /ˌprɒp ˈʌp/
US: /ˌprɑːp ˈʌp/

  1. To support something physically, preventing it from falling or collapsing.

    1. I use a stick to prop up the tomato plant.
    2. The old fence was propped up with wooden posts to keep it from falling down.

  2. To help or support a person, organization, or economy that is having difficulties.

    1. We should prop up small businesses in our town.
    2. The government introduced measures to prop up the struggling tourism industry.

Synonyms

support maintain bolster buttress reinforce brace sustain
prop up noun

  1. An act of physically supporting something.

    1. The old barn needed a prop up after the storm.
    2. With a quick prop up, the shelf was secure again.

  2. Something that provides support or assistance.

    1. Her friends were a vital prop up during her divorce.
    2. The loan served as a temporary prop up for the failing company.
prop up adjective

  1. Providing support or assistance.

    1. This treaty is a prop up to their shaky government.
    2. That aid package proved a prop up in their time of need.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "prop up" in English means: To support something physically, preventing it from falling or collapsing., To help or support a person, organization, or economy that is having difficulties..

The phonetic transcription of "prop up" is /ˌprɒp ˈʌp/ in British English and /ˌprɑːp ˈʌp/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "prop up": support, maintain, bolster, buttress, reinforce, brace, sustain.

Example usage of "prop up": "I use a stick to prop up the tomato plant.". More examples on the page.