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lift up

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To pick something up higher; or to make someone feel better and more positive.

Literal meaning: To raise something to a higher position using physical effort.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To physically raise something or someone to a higher position.

"He lifted the child up so she could see over the crowd."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To make someone feel more cheerful, encouraged, or hopeful.

"Her kind words really lifted me up when I was feeling low."

"We shall lift up our heads and march on."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal

(Religious/formal) to direct one's voice, eyes, or heart upward in prayer or praise.

"Lift up your hearts and give thanks."

"Lift up your hearts."

— The Book of Common Prayer, Church of England (1662 edition)
Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Both the literal (physical) and figurative (emotional) senses are very common. The figurative sense ('lift someone's spirits') is widely used in both everyday and religious/inspirational contexts. 'Lift up your hearts' is a well-known phrase from Christian liturgy. 'Lift up' is separable: 'lift it up' or 'lift up the box'.

Commonly used with

spirits voice arms box child heart

Forms

Base
lift up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lifts up
he/she/it
Past simple
lifted up
yesterday
Past participle
lifted up
have + pp
-ing form
lifting up
continuous

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