bolster up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bolster up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to strengthening or supporting something, such as an argument, position, or emotional state. Example: "To bolster up her confidence before the presentation, she practiced her speech multiple times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If you're nervous, it's tempting to bolster up some Dutch courage by piling up the drinks.

The Guardian

A serious young friend of ours has decided to give his life in an attempt to bolster up our confidence.

The New Yorker

He also writes that "the consciousness of being in the right can bolster up morale, though this affects the civilian population more than the troops".

The New York Times - Magazine

Jack L. Warner, busiest of the Brothers, is genially inclined to bolster up the courage of those who are ready to throw in the towel.

The New Yorker

History teaching before 1994 was there to "bolster up Afrikaner nationalism, and black South Africans were merely the objects of history.

The Guardian

A week after the country drew widespread condemnation for a nuclear test Kim "set forth the important tasks to be fulfilled to bolster up the nuclear force," the official KCNA state news agency said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"We would not rule out a new form of nuclear test for bolstering up our nuclear deterrence," it said in March.

The Guardian

Weinberg & the other dupes on the McKesson & Robbins board might have been sued for negligence, but they avoided litigation by voluntarily bolstering up the company with a gift of $600,000, of which Weinberg provided around $75,000.

The New Yorker

But his policy of bolstering up the Turkish Empire was supported neither by the entire Cabinet nor by public opinion, and the government, badly shaken, had to reverse its policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You could have understood a shoddy director dragging them in to gloss over his technical deficiencies, but there are no technical deficiencies about Stanley Kubrick and his film is far too good to need bolstering up with such repellent shock tactics".

The Guardian - Film

"It is nobody's secret that the U.S. and South Korean puppet regime are massively bolstering up cyberforces in a bid to intensify the subversive activities and sabotages against the DPRK," the North's Korean Central News Agency said, using the acronym of the country's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bolster up", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being strengthened or supported. This phrase is effective when emphasizing the act of reinforcing something that is already present but needs additional support.

Common error

Avoid using "bolster up" when a simpler verb like "bolster" or "strengthen" suffices. The addition of "up" can sometimes be redundant and dilute the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bolster up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, which involves combining the verb 'bolster' with the particle 'up'. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies the action of strengthening or reinforcing something. As showcased in Ludwig's examples, it commonly refers to supporting arguments, confidence, or systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bolster up" is a phrasal verb that functions to strengthen or reinforce something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media, with a less presence in Science and Formal & Business contexts. Alternatives include "strengthen", "reinforce", and "support". Remember to use "bolster up" when you want to emphasize the act of adding extra support to something already present, and be mindful of potential redundancy by overusing "up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reinforce

Focuses on strengthening something that already exists.

strengthen

Emphasizes making something more robust or resilient.

support

Highlights providing assistance or backing to something.

fortify

Suggests making something more resistant to attack or weakening.

shore up

Implies adding support to prevent collapse or failure.

build up

Indicates a gradual increase in strength or size.

buttress

Highlights providing external support, often in an architectural sense, but applicable figuratively.

bolster

Uses the root verb without the particle 'up', offering a more concise alternative.

prop up

Suggests providing temporary support to prevent something from falling.

sustain

Focuses on maintaining something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "bolster up" in a sentence?

You can use "bolster up" when you want to describe the act of strengthening or supporting something. For instance, "To bolster up his argument, he presented additional evidence".

What's the difference between "bolster up" and "strengthen"?

"Bolster up" and "strengthen" are similar, but "bolster up" implies adding extra support to something already existing, whereas "strengthen" is a more general term for making something stronger.

Are there any formal alternatives to "bolster up"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "reinforce", "support", or simply "bolster" without the "up".

Is it always necessary to use "up" after "bolster"?

No, the "up" is not always necessary. Using just "bolster" is often sufficient and can make your writing more concise. "Bolster" and "bolster up" are often interchangeable, though "bolster up" can sometimes emphasize a more active or additive process.