bear up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral, often used in empathetic or encouraging contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bear up” mean?
To endure a difficult situation with courage or resilience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To endure a difficult situation with courage or resilience; to remain strong under pressure.
To maintain one's spirits or composure despite adversity; to cope or withstand hardship without collapsing emotionally.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English in formal or literary contexts, but widely understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes stoicism, fortitude, and emotional restraint. Often used to praise someone's resilience or to offer encouragement.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties. More likely in written contexts (news, literature) and speech offering comfort.
Grammar
How to Use “bear up” in a Sentence
[Subject] bear up (under [Object])[Subject] bear up (against [Object])[Subject] bear up (adverb, e.g., well)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bear up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She's bearing up remarkably well after her husband's passing.
- The community bore up bravely under the relentless floods.
- 'Bear up, old chap,' he said, offering a brandy.
American English
- He's bearing up okay under the pressure of the trial.
- The team bore up well against the constant criticism.
- They told her to bear up and keep fighting.
adverb
British English
- N/A for 'bear up' as adverb.
American English
- N/A for 'bear up' as adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for 'bear up' as adjective.
American English
- N/A for 'bear up' as adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe resilience during market downturns or corporate crises (e.g., 'The team bore up well under the restructuring').
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or psychological texts discussing coping mechanisms.
Everyday
Common when discussing personal loss, illness, or stress (e.g., 'How is she bearing up after the news?').
Technical
Not used in technical domains.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bear up”
- Using it transitively: *'She bore up the pain.' (Correct: 'She bore up under the pain.')
- Confusing with 'bear with' (to be patient).
- Using for physical support: *'The pillar bears up the roof.' (Use 'supports' or 'holds up').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. It's appropriate in comforting conversations, news reports, and literature, but might sound slightly old-fashioned or literary in very casual chat.
'Bear up' means to endure hardship without breaking down; it's about resilience. 'Cheer up' means to become or make someone happier; it's about improving mood. You tell someone to 'bear up' when they must be strong; you tell them to 'cheer up' when you want them to be happy.
Yes, but carefully. 'Bear up!' can be an encouraging, if somewhat brusque, exhortation to be strong, often used between close friends or in literary/military contexts. It can sound unsympathetic if used insensitively.
The past tense is 'bore up' (e.g., 'She bore up well'). The past participle is also 'borne up' (e.g., 'He has borne up under incredible strain').
To endure a difficult situation with courage or resilience.
Bear up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbeər ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌber ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Grin and bear it (related, but implies passive acceptance rather than active resilience)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bear STANDING UP on its hind legs against a strong wind, not falling over. It BEARS UP against the pressure.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN / PRESSURE (one 'bears up' under its weight).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'bear up' used CORRECTLY?