buoying up
Supporting from below
Buoying up means keeping something afloat or lifting it toward the surface, as water buoys up a swimmer.
More often the phrase is figurative—providing emotional support or encouragement: The good news buoyed her up during a difficult week.
The image is of being held above water rather than sinking.
- afloatSupported by water
- treading waterStaying afloat vertically
- sustainKeep something going continuously
- upholdMaintain or confirm officially
- holding upSupporting or delaying
lift · picking up · encourage · pep talk · bolster · elevate · cheering up · lifting spirits · reinforce · hopefulness · cheerfulness · reassurance · heartening · shot in the arm · strengthen · optimism · raise · water wings
buoying upsinking
Falling through water
pulling down · submerging · weighing down · pushing down · immersing
buoying updisheartening
Causing loss of hope
depressing · dispiriting · deflating · demoralizing · discouraging
buoying updepressing
Causing low mood
undermining · pulling down · weakening · diminishing · eroding