# bear up under

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bear-up-under
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to stay strong and keep going when you are dealing with a lot of stress or a very difficult situation.

For teachers: to maintain one's spirits or composure while enduring significant pressure, grief, or hardship; often used to describe emotional resilience.

## Examples

- She is bearing up under the pressure of her new job.
- The family is bearing up under the weight of their recent loss with remarkable courage and grace.
- Despite the relentless scrutiny from the press, the minister appeared to be bearing up under the strain of the investigation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is bearing up the pressure." but "He is bearing up under the pressure." — the preposition 'under' is necessary to show that the person is beneath the weight of the difficulty.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a noun representing a burden, such as 'pressure', 'strain', or 'weight'.
- Teaching tip: this is a more formal and literary alternative to 'cope with'; the image of 'bearing' (carrying) a weight 'up' (keeping it from falling) helps students visualize the resilience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.