Lift Meaning
Lift Definition & Usage
To raise or move something from a lower position to a higher one.
Examples
- "She lifted the box onto the shelf with ease."
- "The crane lifted the heavy load from the ground."
- "Can you lift this chair for me? It's too heavy."
- "He struggled to lift the suitcase up the stairs."
- "I saw him lift the car with a jack to change the tire."
To transport or give someone a ride in a vehicle.
Examples
- "She offered to lift him to the airport."
- "Could you lift me to the train station tomorrow?"
- "We need to find someone to lift us to the party."
- "He lifted his friends in his car to the concert."
- "Would you mind lifting me home after the meeting?"
To raise someone’s mood, spirits, or quality of life.
Examples
- "Her words lifted his spirits after a difficult day."
- "The donation lifted the family's financial burden."
- "A good song can really lift your mood."
- "His positive attitude lifted the entire team's performance."
- "The success of the project has lifted morale in the office."
A mechanical device used for lifting heavy objects, such as an elevator or crane.
Examples
- "The building had a lift to access all floors."
- "They used a lift to carry the materials to the top of the construction site."
- "Please take the lift to the third floor."
- "The factory installed a new lift to speed up production."
- "She worked in a lift repair shop for several years."
An increase in status, rank, or prestige.
Examples
- "Her promotion was a real lift to her career."
- "Winning the award gave him a lift in his professional life."
- "The new project provided a lift to the company's reputation."
- "The success of the product launch gave the team a much-needed lift."
- "The new strategy could give the economy a boost, lifting many people out of poverty."
Cultural Context
The word 'lift' has been in use since Old English and has evolved in its applications, both literally (to raise something) and metaphorically (to improve something or someone). It is commonly used in various forms of speech, from everyday conversations to technical and professional settings. The meaning relating to vehicles and rides ('lift') is especially prevalent in informal speech, often associated with carpooling or hitchhiking.
A Lift to Remember
Story
A Lift to Remember
On a chilly morning, Sarah found herself struggling with a large suitcase outside her apartment. She had to catch a train for an important business meeting, but the suitcase, stuffed with all her materials, was simply too heavy for her to manage on her own. Just as she was about to give up and call a taxi, a friendly neighbor, John, appeared out of nowhere. 'Need a lift?' he asked, noticing her difficulty. Gratefully, Sarah accepted the offer, and John helped lift the heavy suitcase into his car. As they drove, Sarah couldn’t help but feel grateful for this unexpected kindness. John’s gesture had lifted her mood, and as they spoke about the changes in their lives, Sarah reflected on how uplifting it was to see kindness in a world often consumed by busy schedules. On the way to the station, John mentioned that he was going through a tough time at work. 'But seeing people smile, even in small moments, lifts my spirit,' he said, sharing his positive outlook. They arrived at the station in time, and John wished her luck with the meeting. That afternoon, Sarah, motivated by the kindness she’d received, found herself in an uplifting conversation with a client. The meeting went better than expected, and she walked out with a new contract. Later, as Sarah reflected on her day, she realized that the 'lift' she had received in the morning from John had been more than just physical—it had been emotional too, setting the tone for the rest of her day. Her spirits were high, and her success felt like the culmination of a series of lifts, both physical and metaphorical. As the day ended, Sarah texted John to thank him once again. 'You truly gave me a lift today,' she wrote, and smiled at the double meaning of her words.
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