1
general::
Phrase(s): bear up (under something)
1. Lit. to hold up under something; to sustain the weight of something. • How is the new beam bearing up under the weight of the floor? • It isn’t bearing up. It broke. 2. Fig. [for someone] to remain brave under a mental or emotional burden. • Jill did not bear up well under problems with her family. • Jill bore up quite well amid serious difficulties., Phrase(s): bear someone or something up
to hold someone or something up; to support someone or something. • Will this bench bear me up? • This bench is so sturdy it would bear up an elephant., Phrase(s): bear someone up
to sustain or encourage someone. • Your encouragement bore me up through a very hard time. • I will bear up the widow through the funeral service as well as I can., Phrase(s): bear up (against something)
to withstand something. • She was unable to bear up against the criticism. • Ken bore up against the challenge of his disabling injury well.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Endure, face a hardship, as in Jane found it hard to bear up under the strain of her father's illness. This term is Also used as an imperative, as in Bear up? the trip's almost over. [c. 1600]
American Heritage Idioms