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rise above

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To not let bad things or mean people bring you down or change how you behave.

Literal meaning: To physically rise to a position above something.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To not allow negative behaviour or difficult circumstances to affect you or make you react badly.

"She managed to rise above the online criticism and continue her work with dignity."

"We must rise above the fear, the frustration, and the despair."

— Nelson Mandela, widely attributed in various speeches and writings
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic formal

To be better than or superior to a particular level or standard.

"His later novels rise above the genre conventions and become something truly literary."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To physically move or extend to a higher position than something else.

"The tower rises above all the other buildings in the old town."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often carries a moral or inspirational tone. Used in motivational contexts and self-help language. Also used literally for physically moving to a higher position, though the figurative sense dominates.

Commonly used with

criticism adversity pettiness circumstances hatred insults

Forms

Base
rise above
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rises above
he/she/it
Past simple
rose above
yesterday
Past participle
risen above
have + pp
-ing form
rising above
continuous

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