# lift

/ˈɫɪft/ (US) · /lˈɪft/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lift
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to raise up

verb · CEFR A2

to move something or someone to a higher position.

For teachers: to move something from a lower to a higher position. Ambitransitive, though typically used with a direct object.

- He had to lift the heavy box onto the top shelf.
- The crane was brought in to lift the heavy steel beams to the upper floors of the construction site.

### 2. to end a rule

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to officially end a rule, law, or block.

For teachers: to formally rescind or remove a restriction, ban, or legal requirement.

- The government decided to lift the travel ban next month.
- After months of negotiation, the international community agreed to lift the economic sanctions against the region.

### 3. to steal

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to steal something, especially from a shop.

For teachers: to steal or shoplift items; also used for plagiarising ideas or text without attribution.

- He was caught trying to lift a bottle of wine from the store.
- The journalist was accused of lifting entire paragraphs from a rival publication without providing any credit.

### 4. a machine for floors

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a machine that carries people or goods up and down in a building.

For teachers: a platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels.

- The lift was broken, so we had to walk up six flights of stairs.
- The modern office block features high-speed glass lifts that offer a panoramic view of the city skyline.

Usage: Commonly called an 'elevator' in American English.

Teaching tip: Learners should be aware that 'lift' is the standard term in the UK, while 'elevator' is preferred in the US.

### 5. a ride

noun · CEFR B1

a free ride in someone's car to a place you want to go.

For teachers: a free journey in another person's vehicle, typically as a favour.

- My car is at the garage, so can you give me a lift to work?
- She offered her colleague a lift home since they both lived in the same suburban neighbourhood.

### 6. upward force

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the force that keeps an aircraft in the air.

For teachers: the component of the total aerodynamic force on a body and is perpendicular to the direction of the relative gas or liquid flow.

- The plane's wings are designed to create lift as it moves forward.
- The pilot adjusted the flaps to increase lift during the slow approach to the runway.

### 7. mood improvement

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of being happier or more hopeful.

For teachers: a psychological or emotional boost that improves one's spirits or morale.

- Winning the first game gave the whole team a real lift.
- The positive feedback from the CEO provided a much-needed lift to the department's morale after a difficult quarter.

## Examples

- The lift is broken, so we have to take the stairs.
- I live on the tenth floor, so I always take the lift when I have heavy bags of groceries.
- Modern skyscrapers require high-speed lift systems that use sophisticated algorithms to minimize wait times for passengers during peak morning hours.

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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.