1 A2 neutral
To physically lift something or someone to a higher position.
"She raised up the child so he could see the parade over the crowd."
separable
raise up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To lift something or someone physically, or to elevate someone's position, spirit, or status.
In plain English
To pick something or someone up, or to help someone get to a better or higher position in life.
What does "raise up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To improve someone's social, economic, or spiritual position; to empower or inspire someone.
"The programme was designed to raise up communities that had been left behind by economic development."
“
We need to raise up a new generation of leaders.
— Barack Obama, campaign speech, 2007
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
(Archaic/religious) To resurrect or cause someone to rise from the dead.
"The text describes the prophet raising up the dead man by prayer."
“
And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth... and the child sneezed seven times, and the child raised up his eyes.
— 2 Kings 4:34–35, Bible (ESV)
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To raise (lift) something upward — physically moving it to a higher position.
Actually means
To pick something or someone up, or to help someone get to a better or higher position in life.
Usage tip
In everyday speech, 'raise up' often sounds slightly more emphatic or dramatic than simply 'raise.' The figurative sense (elevating status or spirit) is common in religious and motivational contexts. The physical sense is sometimes considered redundant ('raise' alone is sufficient), but 'raise up' adds emphasis.
Words that pair with "raise up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
children voice hand community people spirits
How to conjugate "raise up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
raise up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
raises up
he/she/it
Past simple
raised up
yesterday
Past participle
raised up
have + pp
-ing form
raising up
continuous
Hear "raise up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "raise up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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