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Glite Dictionary
to brace up

to brace up

1 5.5
To make something strong and supported from below with extra beams
  • phrasal verb
: reforzar
  • They braced up the collapsing floor with extra beams.

Examples

  • The crew had to brace up the old bridge supports before starting repairs.

  • Engineers braced up the foundation to prevent the entire structure from sinking.

  • She needs to brace up the old fence.

  • The engineer will brace up the structure before the storm.

  • The workers braced up the roof with additional supports to ensure it wouldn't cave in during the storm.

  • Before the heavy snow arrived, the team braced up the deck to make it more stable.

  • To keep the walls from buckling, they braced up the entire building with steel reinforcements.

Synonyms

to hold up
vsto brace up
188 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

uses added under-support to make something secure rather than just bearing weight
to brace
vsto brace up
141 4.4

To make something stronger or prepare yourself for something difficult

focuses on under-positioned structural support rather than general strengthening or preparation
to support
vsto brace up
73 1.0

Hold up something so it does not fall

focuses on securing by placing objects beneath rather than any general weight-bearing
to prop up
vsto brace up
65 3.6

Support something so it does not fall or fail

does this mainly by adding supports underneath rather than also leaning against
to shore
vsto brace up
  • Specialized
56 7.1

To support a building or wall by placing a beam against it

does the same but emphasizes support from beneath rather than leaning items against it
to undergird
vsto brace up
  • Formal
4 8.2

Support something from below, like beams or trust

focuses more on adding solid under-support to secure a structure
to bracket
vsto brace up
3 6.5

To fasten something to a wall with a small metal or wooden support

is about supporting from underneath rather than fastening to an upright surface
to bolster
vsto brace up
2 4.8

To add padding to something to make it more comfortable

aims at structural under-support to secure weight rather than adding padding for comfort
to buttress
vsto brace up
  • Specialized
2 7.3

To add a strong support against a wall to keep it standing

focuses on under-support from below rather than side-projection reinforcement
to bolster up
vsto brace up
1 4.2

To give help to someone or something to make them stronger

applies physical under-support to secure items rather than general improvement or help
to truss
vsto brace up
  • Specialized
1 7.7

To strengthen a roof or bridge with a frame of beams

secures by adding supports from below rather than building a full framework
to trice up
vsto brace up
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To raise something and tie it with a rope

secures by placing solid supports beneath rather than lifting and tying with rope

Antonyms

to weaken
213 2.8

To make people and things less strong or effective

How Supported

to buttress
  • Specialized
2 7.3
to shore up
50 5.4
to reinforce
57 3.9
to brace up
1 5.5
to support
73 1.0
to prop up
65 3.6

Surface Forms

brace up infinitive
braced up past
braced up past participle
bracing up present participle
braces up third person singular

Morphology

brace + up

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'brace' (to support) with the particle 'up' which here signals strengthening or propping upward; together they transparently mean to support or prop something. This follows a common English verb+particle composition pattern and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Brace up comes from building work where people put a strong beam under a weak wall or floor to hold it steady. Brace is the support and up shows putting it underneath, so brace up means 'to make secure or supported from underneath'.