buoy up[verb]Synonyms: support, bolster, prop, sustain, underprop, uphold
[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
buoy2 (
also buoy up)
verb [transitive][
Date: 1500-1600;
Language: Spanish;
Origin: boyar 'to float', from boya 'buoy', from Latin boia; ⇒ buoy1]
1. to make someone feel happier or more confident:
The party is buoyed up by the latest opinion poll results.2. to keep profits, prices etc at a high level:
Increased demand for computers buoyed their profits.3. to keep something floating
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲