prop up

prop up — phrasal verb

  • prop upbase form
  • props up3rd person singular
  • propping up-ing form
  • propped uppast simple

1. to put a solid object underneath or alongside a wobbly item so that it stays upr

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to put a solid object underneath or alongside a wobbly item so that it stays upright and does not tip over.

例句

The gardener propped up the young tree with a wooden stake so it would grow straight.

prop + object + up + with [supporting item]

Romi propped the sagging shelf up with a stack of old textbooks until he could buy a proper bracket.

separable: prop + object + up

同義詞
  • support

    more general; does not specify the method of keeping something upright

  • shore up

    similar meaning but often implies reinforcing a structure that is already weak or damaged

  • brace

    emphasises making something stable by attaching a support

反義詞

文法句型

prop + object + up

prop + up + object

用法筆記

The object can go between 'prop' and 'up' (I propped the ladder up) or after 'up' (I propped up the ladder). Use 'against + noun' to name the surface that holds the object in place.

常見錯誤

❌I propped it on the wall with a stick.
✅I propped it against the wall with a stick.
💡'against' describes the supporting surface; 'on' suggests it rests on top.

2. to give financial or political support to a country, company, currency, or syste

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to give financial or political support to a country, company, currency, or system that is in serious difficulty, usually to prevent it from failing completely.

例句

The government used taxpayer money to prop up the struggling car industry during the recession.

prop + up + [industry/economy]

Haruto argued that price controls only prop up an inefficient system instead of fixing the real problems.

同義詞
  • shore up

    slightly more specific to reinforcing something weak; often used for economies, systems, or structures

  • bail out

    stronger; implies rescuing from immediate financial disaster, usually with money

  • bolster

    focuses on strengthening or improving something rather than just preventing collapse

反義詞
  • undermine

    to gradually weaken something, especially an institution or system

  • dismantle

    to take apart or abolish a system or organisation

文法句型

prop + up + [economy/business/system]

用法筆記

Often carries a negative tone, suggesting the support is temporary and the underlying problems remain unsolved. The object is typically an institution, not a person.

常見錯誤

❌The government propped up the homeless family.
✅The government helped the homeless family.
💡'prop up' for institutions; use 'support' or 'help' for individuals in genuine need.

3. to give someone encouragement, confidence, or emotional help when they are feeli

3.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to give someone encouragement, confidence, or emotional help when they are feeling weak, sad, or struggling with a difficult situation.

例句

Apinya propped up her brother through his divorce by calling him every single evening to chat.

prop + [person] + up + through + [difficult period]

The coach propped up the nervous player with encouraging words before the championship match.

同義詞
  • cheer up

    informal; focuses on making someone feel happier rather than providing long-term support

  • encourage

    broader; giving hope or confidence without the image of physically holding someone up

  • buoy up

    similar meaning but slightly more literary; keeps someone's spirits afloat

反義詞
  • discourage

    to take away someone's confidence or hope

  • bring down

    to make someone feel sad or less confident

文法句型

prop + up + [person]

prop + [person] + up

用法筆記

The object can be a person or an abstract quality like 'spirits' or 'morale'. Unlike sense 2, this sense has a positive or neutral tone — it describes genuine emotional care, not temporary or artificial support.

常見錯誤

❌I propped my mother up with money.
✅I propped my mother up with kind words and encouragement.
💡use sense 2 for financial help; sense 3 is about emotional support, not money.