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

Meanwhile the U.S. is trying to shore up munitions shortfalls and rebuild the Navy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

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

CoreWeave on Thursday also announced plans to raise $3 billion through a convertible-debt offering, which McPeake said shows the company “taking advantage” of a strong demand and pricing environment to shore up its balance sheet.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 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

My voice was crumbling, and I struggled to shore up its supports.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

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