shore up — strengthen or support (especially something weak or failing)
to make something stronger or more secure, especially when it is weak, failing, or in danger of collapsing (often used figuratively for organizations, arguments, confidence, etc.)
Say it like a native
Textbook The government intervened to reinforce the failing banking sector.
Native The government stepped in to shore up the banks.
'Shore up' is the natural figurative verb for propping something up; 'reinforce the failing sector' is heavier.
Pattern: shore up + noun
In use
- The government announced new measures to shore up the struggling healthcare system.work
- In my view, investing in teacher training is essential to shore up the quality of education in rural areas.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ They tried to shore up of the economy.
✓ They tried to shore up the economy.
'Shore up' takes the object directly — no 'of'.
Common collocations
shore up + weak thing— support, confidence, the economy, defences
Don't confuse it
The basic, literal sense (physically supporting a wall or structure) is less common. This advanced sense is figurative, used for things like arguments, systems, or feelings that need extra support.