INDEX:
1. to lift a person or thing
2. to lift a part of your body to a higher position
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ DOWN (6)
see also
↑ CARRY
↑ HOLD
↑ PUT
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1. to lift a person or thing
▷ lift /lɪft/ [transitive verb]
to move something upwards to a higher position, especially something heavy, either by using your hands or a machine :
▪ His doctor has told him that he must not lift anything heavy.
▪ She lifted the lid from a huge pot and took a sniff.
lift onto/out of/over etc
▪ They lifted me onto a stretcher and took me to the ambulance.
▪ Firemen had to use a mobile crane to lift the carriages back onto the rails.
lift somebody bodily
lift someone’s whole body up, using a lot of strength
▪ The massive bull lifted him bodily into the air and shook him repeatedly.
▷ lift up /ˌlɪft ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to move something upwards to a higher position and hold it there - use this especially about something fairly heavy that you use your hands to move :
lift somebody/something up
▪ He lifted her up in his arms.
lift up somebody/something
▪ Can you help me lift up this table so we can get the carpet under it?
▪ Six men lifted up the coffin and carried it out of the church.
lift something up onto/out of/over etc
▪ I couldn’t see the game so I asked my dad to lift me up onto his shoulders.
▷ pick up /ˌpɪk ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to lift something up from the ground, from a table etc, especially something small or light :
pick up somebody/something
▪ She picked up her bag and left the room.
▪ Maurin picked up the gun and put it in his pocket.
▪ The lioness picked her cub up by its neck.
pick somebody/something up
▪ There are papers all over the floor - could you pick them up and put them away?
▪ The little girl’s mother laughed and bent down to pick her up.
▪ The vacuum cleaner won’t pick this stuff up.
pick up the phone
pick up the part of the telephone that you speak into, so that you can use it
▪ The phone rang and Hutton picked it up, frowning.
▷ raise /reɪz/ [transitive verb]
to move something to a higher position for a short time before lowering it again :
▪ The bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass under it.
▪ ‘Cheers, everyone!’ said Larry, raising his glass.
▷ scoop up/out /ˌskuːp ʌpm ˈaʊt/ [verb phrase]
to dig or pick something up with a scoop a round deep spoon , a spoon, or with your curved hand :
scoop something up/out/off etc
▪ He scooped up a handful of sand and dropped it in the bucket.
▪ Slice the eggs in half, then scoop out the yolks into a bowl.
▷ hoist /hɔɪst/ [transitive verb]
to lift up something which is heavy and difficult to carry :
hoist something on/onto/over
▪ Joe picked up the sack and hoisted it onto the truck.
▪ The crowd hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him triumphantly down the main street.
▷ jack up /ˌdʒæk ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to lift up the corner of a car using a special tool, in order to change the wheel or look under the car :
jack up something
▪ Fred jacked up the car and started to unscrew the wheel nuts.
jack something up
▪ Why don’t you jack it up and we’ll have a look at the suspension?
2. to lift a part of your body to a higher position
▷ raise /reɪz/ [transitive verb]
raise your eyes/eyebrows/hand/arm etc
to move or turn your eyes, head etc upwards for a short time :
▪ She raised her eyes from the newspaper when he came in.
▪ If you have any questions, please raise your hand.
▪ Lori raised her arms over her head.
raise to do something
▪ Mum raised her hand to hit me and then stopped.
▷ lift also lift up /lɪft, lɪft ʌp/ [transitive verb]
lift your arm/leg/head
to move your arm, leg etc upwards, especially when this is difficult to do :
▪ I was feeling so weak that I could hardly lift my head from the pillow.
▪ The child lifted up her arms, asking to be picked up.
▪ Lie on your side, use your hand for support, and lift your leg to the level of your shoulder.
▷ put your hand up /ˌpʊt jɔːʳ ˈhænd ʌp/ [verb phrase]
to move your arm upwards and keep it in the air, for example because you want to speak in a class or meeting, or because you are being counted :
▪ Put your hand up if you know the answer.
▪ If you are not able to take part, please put your hand up.