props
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give (one) props
slang To praise and show respect to one. Thank you, but you should give Jeanne props—she's the one who organized this entire event for us. Well, I've got to give you props, John. This was a really great idea! Come on, give me props! I came up with that idea, and you know it!
give props to (one)
To praise and show one respect. Thank you, but I have to give props to Jeanne, who organized this entire event for us. Well, I've got to give props to you, John. This was a really great idea! Come on, give props to Betsy! She came up with that idea, and you know it!
knock the props (out) from under (someone or something)
1. To undermine, weaken, or destroy something. The stock market crash knocked the props out from under a huge number of investment firms across the nation. Tom knocked the props from under our proposal during the meeting.
2. To erode or undermine someone's self-confidence or sense of self-worth. Losing her job really knocked the props from under Sarah. I hope she comes out of this funk soon. Don't let the boss's comments knock the props out from under you. He's hard on everyone.
prop up
1. To place or lean someone or something (against something else) in such a way as to keep them or it upright. A noun or pronoun can be used between "prop" and "up." I propped Tom up on the wall of the bar while we waited for a taxi to take us home. Just prop up the rake against the shed when you're done.
2. To help someone or something remain upright with a prop or crutch of some kind. A noun or pronoun can be used between "prop" and "up." The frame of my bed broke right in the center, so I've been propping it up with a stack of books. I put extra pillows around the patient to help prop him up.
3. To give someone or something support in order to remain active or keep from failing, especially in a temporary, partial, or secretive capacity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "prop" and "up." The American film industry props up the entire country's economy—if they decided to go elsewhere to film, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their jobs overnight. My father propped my business up for the first few years to help keep me afloat. It's only just now that I can begin paying him back. Of course it's now known that the United States had been propping dictatorships and shadow presidents up all around the world in order to protect American interests.
prop up the bar
To spend a large amount of time drinking at a pub or pubs in general. Primarily heard in UK. My father spent most of my childhood propping up the bar, so forgive me if I am not overly enthusiastic about social drinking. John's down at the local, propping up the bar with his mates from work.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
knock the props out from under someone
Fig. to destroy someone's emotional, financial, or moral underpinnings; to destroy someone's confidence. When you told Sally that she was due to be fired, you really knocked the props out from under her.
prop someone or something up (against someone or something)
to stand or lean someone or something against someone or something. He was so tired I had to prop him up against the wall while I looked for the door key. I propped up the man against the wall. I propped the mop up against the wall.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
knock the bottom out of
Also, knock the props out from under. Render invalid, undermine. For example, The discovery of another planet that might support life knocks the bottom out of many theories , or Jane's skilled debating knocked the props out from under her opponent. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1900s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
prop up the bar
spend a considerable time drinking in a pub. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌprop up the ˈbar
(informal, disapproving) spend a lot of time drinking in a pub or a bar: ‘Where’s Paul?’ ‘Propping up the bar in the King’s Head, as usual.’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
prop up
v.
1. To support something with or as if with a prop: I propped up the leg of my desk with some cardboard to keep it from wobbling. She sat down in the chair and propped her feet up on the table. He propped the ladder up against the wall and climbed up to the roof.
2. To provide temporary or partial support to something that is failing or needs assistance: Foreign investors propped up the currency by purchasing more government bonds. The company would go bankrupt if the government didn't prop it up with special tax breaks.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
props
n. evidence of respect; one’s proper respect. You gotta give me my props.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.