shore up
Prop against collapse
To shore up is to support or reinforce something that might otherwise collapse or fail.
The literal sense involves propping up a structure with temporary supports: Workers shored up the foundation before the storm.
More often figurative: The Fed shored up the banking system.
The image is always of strengthening something weakened or unstable.
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- prop upSupport to prevent collapse
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- sustainKeep something going continuously
- hold upDelay or armed robbery
back up · reinforce · beef up · underpin · strengthen · build up · support · lend support · brace · undergird · scaffold · fortify · consolidate · stabilize · secure · hold together · carry · patch
- liftinglift, hoist, crane, elevate, raise
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, miss the boat
- strengthenstrengthen, reinforce, fortify, bolster, toughen
- encourageencourage, urge, cheer on, exhort, motivate
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- getting readyget ready, readying, be prepared, equipping, gear up