# bear up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bear-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to stay brave and strong during a difficult or sad time. You use this when someone is dealing with a tough situation like a loss or a lot of stress.

For teachers: to remain courageous or resilient under pressure, grief, or adversity. The verb is intransitive and describes the subject's internal state rather than an action performed on an object.

## Examples

- She is bearing up well after the bad news.
- Despite the heavy workload and tight deadlines, the team is bearing up under the pressure.
- The family is bearing up with remarkable dignity following the sudden loss of their patriarch.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is bearing up the stress." but "He is bearing up under the stress." — The verb is intransitive, so it cannot take a direct object like 'stress' without a preposition.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is intransitive and often appears with the adverb 'well' or the preposition 'under'.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'cope' or 'manage'; 'bear up' specifically highlights the person's inner strength or bravery during a trial.

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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.