English Reference
Idiom idiom

bear up


To endure hardship cheerfully or without complaining.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

She tries to bear up even when things are hard.

CONTEXTUAL

After losing his job, he managed to bear up and stay positive for his family.

COMPLEX

Despite the long months of illness and isolation, she bore up with quiet dignity, never once burdening her visitors with self-pity.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    average bear

    The norm; an average person; Used in comparisons

  2. 02

    bad news bears

    Said of someone or something that will bring disaster or bad fortune to one.

  3. 03

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  4. 04

    bear away the bell

    To be superior in something.

  5. 05

    bear fruit

    To produce good results; to yield benefits; to succeed.

  6. 06

    bear in mind

    To hold (something) in the memory; to remember; also, to be mindful of or pay attention to (something); to consider; to note.

  7. 07

    bear oneself

    To behave and conduct oneself in a particular manner.

  8. 08

    bear the brunt

    To endure the worst part of something.

Last updated August 10, 2026