lift
B1Neutral; common in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to raise something to a higher position; to move upwards; or a device for moving people/goods vertically between floors.
In British English, the primary device for vertical transport is called a 'lift'; in American English, this is called an 'elevator'. As a verb, it can also mean to improve a mood, to remove a restriction, to plagiarize, or to transport something by air.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun has a strong concrete meaning (the device) in BrE, which is a central semantic field different from AmE. The verb senses are largely shared across varieties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun meaning 'platform or compartment for vertical transport' is 'lift' in BrE and 'elevator' in AmE. The verb 'to lift' is used in both, but AmE more commonly uses 'to ride the elevator' where BrE would say 'to take the lift'.
Connotations
In BrE, 'lift' can also colloquially mean a ride in a car ('Can you give me a lift?'). This is understood but slightly less common in AmE, where 'ride' is more frequent.
Frequency
The noun 'lift' is extremely high-frequency in BrE; in AmE, 'elevator' is high-frequency, while 'lift' is lower-frequency except in specific contexts (e.g., ski lift, weightlifting).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lift somethinglift something uplift something from somethinglift something onto somethinglift offVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lift a finger (to do something)”
- “not lift a finger”
- “lift the lid on something”
- “a weight off one's mind/shoulders”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Profits are expected to lift in the next quarter.
Academic
The study aimed to lift the veil on the underlying mechanisms.
Everyday
Could you lift that box onto the shelf for me?
Technical
The helicopter will lift the cargo to the remote site.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Can you lift your end of the sofa?
- The fog began to lift by midday.
- The government will lift travel restrictions soon.
- He was accused of lifting paragraphs from Wikipedia.
American English
- You need to lift with your legs, not your back.
- Her laughter lifted everyone's mood.
- The judge decided to lift the injunction.
- The rocket is scheduled to lift off at dawn.
adverb
British English
- N/A (not standard).
American English
- N/A (not standard).
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard; 'lifting' is a present participle/adjective, as in 'a lifting mechanism').
American English
- N/A (not standard; 'lifting' is a present participle/adjective, as in 'a face-lift procedure').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please press the button to call the lift.
- She can lift the small box easily.
- He gave me a lift to the station.
- We'll need to lift the table to get the carpet underneath.
- The news really lifted my spirits.
- Take the lift to the fifth floor.
- The airline has temporarily lifted its baggage weight limit.
- Investigative journalism lifted the lid on corporate corruption.
- He didn't lift a finger to help with the cleaning.
- The embargo was finally lifted after years of diplomatic negotiations.
- The singer's voice lifted effortlessly above the orchestra.
- There are allegations that the author lifted whole passages from obscure texts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LIFT in a building LIFTing people up.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPROVEMENT IS UP; HAPPINESS IS UP (e.g., 'lift your spirits', 'lift the economy'). REMOVAL IS UP (e.g., 'lift sanctions', 'lift a curfew').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian word 'лифт' refers ONLY to the elevator device. The verb 'to lift' has many equivalents (поднимать, снимать, улучшать) depending on context, not a single direct translation.
- Avoid translating 'give me a lift' as 'дай мне лифт'. Use 'подвези меня'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lift' as a noun for the device in American English (use 'elevator').
- Saying 'lift up' redundantly in simple contexts (e.g., 'He lifted up the book' is acceptable but 'He lifted the book' is often sufficient).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the following sentence MOST likely to be spoken: 'I'll meet you by the lift on the ground floor'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Lift' is the standard British English term for the vertical transport device. 'Elevator' is the standard American English term for the same device.
Yes, the verb 'to lift' (meaning to raise, pick up, or remove) is standard and common in both American and British English.
It is an informal request for transportation in someone's car, e.g., 'Can you give me a lift to the airport?' This usage is more common in British English but is understood in American English.
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both formal contexts (e.g., 'lift sanctions') and informal contexts (e.g., 'lift that box'). The noun for the device ('lift') is the standard, non-slang term in BrE.
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.