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to lift

to lift

25 1.0
To take something off a surface carefully
  • verb
  • /lɪft/
translation icon : levantar
  • If you lift the lid, you'll find the secret compartment underneath.

And the eyes open wide and of many colours, for the lenses have been lifted off them.

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Examples

  • It still has structure so we can lift it off, we just have to be careful.

  • I want you to reach in, and you're just gonna gently lift the wire out.

  • I could not easily lift the phone to speak to friends or family.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Now carefully lift it out.

  • Now if I lift this up a bit, you can see the layers.

  • You might want to lift the lid there.

  • - Just gently lift the wire.

  • So just use this tip of the sponge to just lift off any excess product.

  • And if you wouldn't mind just lifting your sweater a little bit up above your stomach there.

  • I tried to lift it off my stomach; my cheek pulsed against it like a drum.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to pull
vsto lift
1.0

To move something toward you using force, often to remove it

is focused on careful skill applied to surface removal rather than force
to pick up
vsto lift
834 1.0

To lift something or someone from the ground with your hands

focuses more on careful removal from a surface than general lifting
to pull out
vsto lift
523 2.7

To take something out of a place, often with effort

is more about precise removal from a surface than broad extraction
to pick
vsto lift
241 1.4

To remove unwanted parts like seeds or stems

is broader careful removal from any surface, not only unwanted bits
to pull up
vsto lift
111 3.2

To take something out, often with effort, for example weeds or hidden facts

emphasizes careful surface removal rather than general effortful extraction
to lift up
vsto lift
107 1.1

To raise someone or something to a higher place

concerns careful removal from a surface rather than simply lifting upward
to hoist
vsto lift
79 4.7

To lift heavy things using ropes, pulleys, or a machine

is about removing from a surface carefully, not mechanical hoisting upward
to pluck
vsto lift
77 3.5

To pull something out quickly with the fingers

involves more careful, controlled removal rather than quick tearing actions
to pry
vsto lift
76 4.4

Use force with a tool to open or move something that is stuck

is less about heavy tool force and more about careful removal
to pull off
vsto lift
41 2.7

To take something off from where it is attached

is more about careful removal from a surface than forceful detachment
to suck out
vsto lift
16 4.5

Pull something out of a place by using air to draw it in

uses careful manual removal from a surface rather than suction methods
to peel back
vsto lift
11 3.4

Remove a cover or layer by pulling it away slowly

refers to careful removal from a surface rather than peeling actions
to pick off
vsto lift
9 4.3

Pull things away one at a time

is gentler and more skillful removal than sharp plucking
to peel off
vsto lift
8 3.4

To take off the outer layer by pulling it

is about removing from a surface with skill rather than only peeling
to raise up
vsto lift
7 2.1

To lift something or someone to a higher place

is specifically about taking items off surfaces carefully rather than raising them
to lift out
vsto lift
5 2.7

To take something out by picking it up, often carefully or with a tool

is performed with careful skill rather than rough force
to jack up
vsto lift
4 4.3

To lift a car or truck off the ground with a small lifting tool

focuses on careful surface removal rather than raising objects upward
to skim off
vsto lift
1 3.7

Take oil or fat from the top of a liquid using a spoon

applies to solids on surfaces, not skimming liquid substances
to skim
vsto lift
1 3.4

Take a thin layer off the top of a liquid

describes removal from solid surfaces with careful skill rather than liquid skimming
to sand off
vsto lift
1 4.7

To remove the top layer of something by rubbing it with sandpaper

is careful skillful removal without abrasive rubbing of the surface
to undrive
vsto lift
9.9

To pull out a nail or stake pushed into something

is about removing from a surface carefully, not undriving fixed objects

Antonyms

1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

Put something on a table or chair so it rests

Idioms

to lift a finger
  • Informal
27 5.1

To make no effort to help

To make someone feel happier

To reveal information that was previously hidden

To make someone feel happier when they are sad

Phrasal Verbs

107 1.1

To raise someone or something to a higher place

Raise heavy objects to make your muscles stronger

20 3.9

To rise into the air from the ground like a plane or rocket

19 3.7

To make someone feel happier and more hopeful

5 2.7

To take something out by picking it up, often carefully or with a tool

6.1

Try to do better to meet higher standards

Compounds

face lift
  • Specialized
7 4.4

Surgery that tightens the skin on the face and removes extra tissue to make someone look younger

4 2.7

A machine with seats on a moving cable that carries skiers up a slope

3 3.4

Seats hanging from a moving overhead cable that carry people up a mountain

2 6.8

A difficult task that needs a lot of effort

2 3.8

A cosmetic update to a building or place that makes it look newer

1 4.0

A small change to the look of something to make it more modern or attractive

aerodynamic lift
  • Specialized
1 5.8

An upward force from moving air that holds a wing up

lift bridge
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A bridge with a section that rises so ships can pass under it

lift capacity
  • Specialized
1 4.5

The most weight that a crane can raise safely

A moving bar on a slope that pulls people up while they keep their skis or snowboard on

lift pump
  • Specialized
5.6

A machine that moves water from a lower place to a higher place

surface lift
  • Specialized
5.1

A machine that pulls skiers up a slope while they stay on the ground

A ski lift with a T-shaped bar that pulls skiers or snowboarders uphill as they hold it

top lift
  • Specialized
8.9

The bottom part of a shoe heel that often wears away and needs replacing

How Heavy

to hoist
79 4.7
to heave
35 3.9
to lift
25 1.0
to pick up
834 1.0

Surface Forms

lift infinitive
lifted past
lifted past participle
lifting present participle
lifts third person singular

Etymology

Lift when you remove something from a surface comes from the same 'take up' idea, as when you gently 'lift' a sticker off glass. That's why to lift a page or object is to take it up carefully.