shore up

Idioms  

1. Support, prop, as in The new law was designed to shore up banks in danger of failure. This expression derives from the noun shore, meaning “prop,” a beam or timber propped against a structure to provide support. The verb shore dates from 1340 and was first recorded in a figurative context in 1581.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shore up

Officials across Southern California are busy working to shore up hillsides and get flood control systems in place before the rains arrive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Rubio visits Quito as the second stop on a three-nation tour designed to shore up conservative allies in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and bolster US influence across the continent.

From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026

China is pumping tens of billions of dollars into eight state-owned banks and insurance companies to help shore up the country's financial system and boost its slowing economy.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Central bankers can help shore up confidence through responsible tightening.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

They began the march from the rocky shore up the cliff side.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Related Words

• add to
• bolster
• boost
• build up
• buttress
• emphasize
• enlarge
• fortify
• increase
• stress
• support
• underline