shore up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To reinforce or strengthen (something at risk of failure).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
They hastened outside between storms to shore up the damaged fence.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shore up” mean?
To reinforce or strengthen (something at risk of failure).
Is “shore up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.