Meaning & use
lift people up
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
To make someone feel happier, more confident, or more hopeful.
Grammar: Used with a person as the object: lift someone up.
Patterns
- lift someone up
- lift people up
Her kind words really lifted me up when I was feeling down.
Good leaders know how to lift people up instead of criticizing them.
The coach's speech lifted the whole team up before the final match.
phrasefixed phrase
To raise people physically from a lower position to a higher one.
Grammar: Used literally for moving people upward.
Patterns
- lift someone up
- lift people up
The firefighters lifted the children up to the window.
He lifted his daughter up so she could see the parade.
Common combinations
- lift someone's spirits
- A walk by the sea always lifts my spirits.
- lift someone's mood
- The good news lifted everyone's mood.
- lift someone up
- She lifted him up when he was struggling.
Synonyms and how they differ
- encourage
- Focuses on giving someone courage or support, not necessarily making them feel happier.
- cheer up
- Means to make someone feel less sad, often by doing something pleasant.
- inspire
- Means to make someone want to do something great, not just feel better.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lift people up' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'lift people up' with the particle after the object. 'Lift up people' is less natural, and the other options repeat 'up' or split the phrase awkwardly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lift people up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.