Bolster sb up Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Bolster sb up” Mean?

“Bolster sb up” means to support or encourage someone, especially to improve their confidence or spirits.

Introduction

The phrase bolster sb up is commonly used in English to describe the act of giving someone emotional or moral support. When you bolster someone up, you help them feel stronger, more confident, or more hopeful, particularly during difficult times. This phrasal verb is useful in both personal and professional contexts. Understanding the bolster sb up meaning can help you communicate encouragement clearly and effectively.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: bolster sb up (bolster somebody up)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To support or encourage someone emotionally

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Bolster sb up” is a transitive, separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) between the verb and the particle “up,” or after it.

• Bolster someone up
• Bolster up someone

Both forms are correct, but placing the object between “bolster” and “up” is more common.

How to Use “Bolster sb up”?

You can use “bolster sb up” when talking about helping someone feel better or stronger emotionally. It often refers to boosting confidence, providing encouragement, or supporting someone during challenges.

Examples include comforting a friend before an exam, encouraging a colleague after a mistake, or supporting a family member during tough times.

Examples

• She tried to bolster him up before his big presentation.
• The coach gave a speech to bolster the team up after their loss.
• Parents often bolster their children up when they feel scared.
• He needed someone to bolster him up after the bad news.
• Teachers can bolster students up by praising their efforts.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: She bolstered up him before the test.
• Correct: She bolstered him up before the test.
• Incorrect: They bolster up the team every time.
• Correct: They bolster the team up every time.

Remember, the object usually comes between “bolster” and “up.”

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include:

• Cheer sb up: Focuses on making someone feel happier immediately.
• Encourage sb: More general, meaning to give support or confidence.
• Lift sb up: Similar emotional support, often more uplifting or spiritual.

Bolster sb up specifically implies strengthening or reinforcing someone’s confidence or spirit, rather than just cheering them up briefly.

Common Collocations

• Bolster someone’s confidence
• Bolster someone’s spirits
• Bolster someone’s courage
• Bolster someone’s morale
• Bolster someone’s motivation

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of bolster sb up:

• Bolster Sth Up

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: John seems really down after the meeting.

Mike: Yeah, I think we should bolster him up before tomorrow’s presentation.

Anna: Good idea. Let’s remind him of all the great work he’s done.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

• A) She bolstered up her friend after the exam.
• B) She bolstered her friend up after the exam.
• C) She bolstered her friend after up the exam.

Answer: B

FAQs

• Q: Can “bolster sb up” be used in formal writing?
  A: Yes, it is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
• Q: Is “bolster sb up” separable?
  A: Yes, you can place the object before or after “up.”
• Q: What is the difference between “bolster sb up” and “cheer sb up”?
  A: “Bolster sb up” means to strengthen confidence, while “cheer sb up” means to make someone feel happier.
• Q: Can “sb” be replaced with any noun?
  A: Yes, it can be replaced with pronouns or nouns referring to people.
• Q: Is “bolster up” used without an object?
  A: No, “bolster up” needs an object (someone) to make sense.