prop her up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prop her up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to physically supporting someone or something, or metaphorically to provide support or encouragement to someone in a difficult situation. Example: "After her recent struggles, we all decided to prop her up with our love and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Isn't it Hunter's turn to prop her up?

The New York Times - Sports

Remember when she had four silent Asian women posing as "Harajuku girls" to prop her up wherever she went?

The Guardian - Opinion

Are you sure you don't go over there and give her a makeover and prop her up before I get home?

The New Yorker

You dress that girl in something other than a tube top and prop her up on the witness stand — crying her eyes out — and what do you think is going to happen?

The New Yorker

You sensed she wasn't sure about his credentials because the pina coladas flushed up her cheeks like beacons at sunset and her mother had to prop her up all the way to the groom.

The Guardian - Travel

What Kim is doing – with plenty of help from the marketing geniuses and television execs who prop her up – isn't illegal, just like most of the unsavory stuff on Wall Street wasn't and, unfortunately, still isn't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He then props her up and leads her off the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

She had her legs out straight, slightly apart, and her hands were propping her up behind her back.

The New Yorker

Laura appeared uncertain on her feet, people propping her up on either side.

The Washington Post

It is how they propped her up so she could wash the roof of Mr. Reynolds's Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The New York Times

One cabinet minister called on the prime minister to sack the "monsters who propped her up and sunk our party".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prop her up" when you want to emphasize providing support, either physically or metaphorically, to someone who is struggling or in a weakened state. It suggests a deliberate act of preventing someone from falling or failing.

Common error

Avoid using "prop her up" when simply offering general assistance. This phrase implies a degree of instability or weakness, so using it in situations where someone only needs routine help can sound exaggerated or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "prop her up" primarily functions as a means to describe providing support, whether physical or emotional, to someone in a state of weakness or instability. Ludwig examples show this phrase used both literally and figuratively.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prop her up" is a phrasal verb used to describe providing support, whether physical or emotional, to someone who is weak or unstable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, often appearing in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "support her" or "bolster her" exist, "prop her up" specifically conveys the urgency and importance of the assistance being provided. Use it to emphasize the act of preventing someone from failing or falling, ensuring its application aligns with the context to avoid sounding exaggerated or condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support her

A more general term indicating assistance without necessarily implying physical support.

bolster her

Implies strengthening her position or confidence.

shore her up

Suggests reinforcing her stability or position, often against external pressures.

sustain her

Focuses on providing ongoing support to maintain her current state.

buttress her

Indicates providing strong, often external, support.

uphold her

Implies maintaining her in a position of power or respect.

brace her

Suggests preparing her for difficulties or impact.

aid her

A broader term for providing help or assistance.

assist her

Similar to 'aid her', but may imply a more direct or active role in helping.

give her a boost

Suggests providing a temporary increase in confidence or support.

FAQs

What does "prop her up" mean?

The phrase "prop her up" means to support someone, either physically to prevent them from falling, or metaphorically to encourage and assist them during a difficult time.

What can I say instead of "prop her up"?

You can use alternatives like "support her", "bolster her", or "sustain her" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "prop her up" in formal writing?

Yes, "prop her up" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when conveying the idea of providing crucial support. However, consider "bolster her" or "shore her up" for a more sophisticated tone.

How is "prop her up" different from "help her"?

"Help her" is a general term for assistance. "Prop her up" specifically suggests that she requires significant support to prevent failure or collapse, either literally or figuratively. The phrase implies a more critical need for assistance than simply "help her".