lift

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "lift" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to raising or elevating something physically or metaphorically. Example: "She needed a lift to the airport." Alternative expressions include "raise" and "elevate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have a whole new generation that is interested in climate change", he said as he predicted that putting taxes on the use of carbon would trigger a wave of clean technology which would lift people out of poverty in the developing world while preventing the global temperature from rising by more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.

The Guardian

People introduced themselves to me in the lift, offered to take me for coffee, and showed an interest in my previous work.

The Guardian

Some commentators believe Bernanke's statement proves nothing other than he needs his eyes testing, or that he is doing his best to talk up the economy and lift the mood of the nation.

The Guardian - Business

A friend once got a lift from Stonehenge festival in a batmobile, and I rode into a town in Nicaragua on the juddering mudguard of a tractor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among the mid-caps Renishaw has soared 15% to £16.93 as the engineering group said a strong fourth quarter had helped it lift full year profits by 17%.

The Guardian - Business

Unsuccessful contestants are then forced to exit by attempting to lift the notoriously tricksy, rust-riddled garage door, while successful candidates are allowed to exit using the side door and taken directly on to the O2 Arena stage where they'll perform again in front of thousands of hysterical fans.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, their batsmen only found the rope 11 times in their 20 overs although Amjad Javed (19) and Rohan Mustafa (13 not out) ran hard to lift their side's total to a little more than a run a ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Last Monday at 6pm, Cruddas and most of the other remaining 231 Labour MPs (26 fewer than a week before) crammed into committee room 14 in the House of Commons to hear Harriet Harman, the acting leader, attempt to lift the depleted, demoralised parliamentary party off the floor.

The Guardian

Lift off any skin that forms on the surface during cooking, taking care not to remove any of the aromatics with it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you don't have a mountain of cooked turkey to get through, make this vegetarian by leaving out the turkey and pancetta, and using veg stock instead of chicken; or, for committed meat-eaters, brown a dozen chicken thighs all over in the casserole for 10 or so minutes, then lift out before starting on the jerusalems.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a shy teenager, clothes made me feel better about my crap body; a new shirt still gives me a lift for at least three wears.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Utilize the figurative sense of "lift" to describe social mobility, such as 'lifting people out of poverty', to add a sense of active upward momentum to your writing.

Common error

Writers often redundantly use 'up' with the verb form (e.g., 'lift up the box'). Since the term inherently implies upward movement, 'up' is usually unnecessary unless you are emphasizing the completed action or using the phrasal verb 'lift up' in a metaphorical sense for emotional support.

Linguistic Context

As seen in Ludwig, "lift" functions both as a versatile verb and a concrete noun. As a verb, it is primarily transitive (requiring an object), while as a noun, it designates either a physical object, a force (aerodynamics) or a charitable act of transport.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel & Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academic

5%

Scientific

3%

Legal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analysis of the Ludwig data confirms that "lift" is an essential component of English vocabulary with high semantic density. Whether reporting on the removal of international sanctions, describing a physical movement or discussing the British equivalent of an elevator, the term remains ubiquitous. Ludwig AI examples highlight its strength in metaphorical phrases, particularly regarding poverty alleviation and emotional well-being. Writers should be mindful of its regional nuances and avoid redundancy with 'up' to maintain a clean, professional style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise

Direct physical synonym for moving something upward

elevate

More formal term often used for rank, status or medical contexts

elevator

The standard American English noun for the mechanical device

boost

Commonly used for improving mood, economy or physical support

hoist

Implies the use of effort or mechanical equipment to raise weight

rescind

Formal alternative when referring to the removal of a ban or law

revoke

Specific to the legal cancellation of privileges or restrictions

heave

Suggests a heavy, laborious lifting motion

improve

Functional synonym for lifting spirits or economic conditions

ride

Informal synonym for the noun sense of transportation in a vehicle

FAQs

What is the difference between "lift" and "elevator"?

Both refer to the same mechanical device for vertical transport; however, "lift" is the preferred term in British English, while "elevator" is used in American English.

Can I use "lift" to mean "steal"?

Yes, in informal or slang contexts, it can mean to shoplift or plagiarize, but for formal writing, you should use "steal" or "plagiarize".

How do you use "lift" in a sentence about mood?

You can use it to describe a positive change in feelings, such as "The good news helped "lift her spirits"" or "The joke gave the whole room a boost."

Is it correct to say "lift a ban"?

Absolutely. It is the standard idiomatic expression for removing a restriction. Alternatives include "remove a ban" or "end a ban".