shore up

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.

Example Sentences

“We’re still looking for two Fed rate cuts in 2026, so that could also help to shore up stock prices, at least through the end of April,” he said.

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So, too, the U.S. labor market can be shored up by continued consumer spending, business investment, and policies that promote economic growth.

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He has defended his moves, invoking the spectre of fellow South American country, Venezuela, and arguing that failure to shore up Argentina as a US ally could lead to destabilisation in the region.

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If Congress doesn’t act to shore up the program, the trust fund backing Social Security faces insolvency in 2033, at which point the fund would pay out only 77% of scheduled benefits.

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But once the cease-fire began nearly three weeks ago, Hamas launched a crackdown on rivals to shore up its authority and has since skirmished repeatedly with Israeli troops.

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Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• bolster 
• boost 
• build up 
• buttress 
• emphasize 
• enlarge 
• fortify 
• increase 
• stress 
• support 
• underline