prop up

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌpɹɒp ˈʌp/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌpɹɑp ˈʌp/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˌpɹɔp ˈap/,

  • Audio (General Australian):

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prop up (third-person singular simple present props up, present participle propping up, simple past and past participle propped up)

1. (transitive) To support with, or as if with, a prop.
   • December 13 2021, Molly Ball, Jeffrey Kluger, Alejandro de la Garza, “Elon Musk: Person of the Year 2021”, in Time Magazine‎:

     A $465 million federal loan in 2010 helped prop up Tesla at a crucial juncture, and its customers have benefitted from hefty tax incentives.

2. (transitive, idiomatic) To be at the bottom of (a league).
   • 26 March 2014, Jamie Jackson, “Fans' revolt leaves David Moyes dead man walking at Manchester United”, in The Guardian‎:

     Under Moyes, United have fewer home points (21) than Norwich City and Hull City, with their count of 18 goals the same as Fulham and Cardiff City, who prop up the table.

• shore up

• prop up the bar

• upprop