lift

verb

• 1 [with object] raise to a higher position or level:he lifted his trophy over his head
• move (one’s eyes or face) to face upwards and look at someone or something:he lifted his eyes for an instant
• [no object] move upwards; be raised:Thomas’s eyelids drowsily lifted
• [no object] (of a cloud, fog, etc.) move upwards or away:the factory smoke hung low, never lifted
• increase the volume of (one’s voice): she lifted her voice in a great shout Willie sang boldly, lifting up his voice
• increase (a price or amount):the building society lifted its interest rates by 0.75 of a point
• perform cosmetic surgery on (part of the body) to reduce sagging: surgeons lift and remove excess skin from the face and neck
• dig up (plants or root vegetables): the end of September is the time to lift and store carrots

• 2 [with object and adverbial of direction] pick up and move to a different position:he lifted her down from the pony’s back
• transport by air:a helicopter lifted 11 crew to safety from the ship
• enable (someone or something) to escape from an unpleasant situation:the best way to lift nations out of poverty is through trade
• improve the rank or position of (a person or team):this victory lifted United into third place

• 3 [with object] raise (a person’s spirits or confidence):we heard inspiring talks which lifted our spirits
• [no object] (of a person’s mood) become happier:suddenly his heart lifted and he could have wept with relief

• 4 [with object] formally remove or end (a legal restriction, decision, or ban):the European Community lifted its oil embargo against South Africa

• 5 [with object] carry off or win (a prize or event):she staged a magnificent comeback to lift the British Open title
• use (a person’s work or ideas) without permission or acknowledgement:this is a hackneyed adventure lifted straight from a vintage Lassie episode
• informal steal (something):the shirt she had lifted from a supermarket
• informal arrest (someone): that night the army came and lifted Buckley

noun

• 1British a platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels: Alice went up to the second floor in the lift [as modifier]:the lift door opened
• a device incorporating a moving cable for carrying people up or down a mountain: we zigzagged across the mountain from one lift to the next
• a built-up heel or device worn in a boot or shoe to make the wearer appear taller or to correct shortening of a leg.

• 2an act of lifting:weightlifters attempting a particularly heavy lift
• [mass noun] upward force exerted by the air on an aerofoil or other structure, counteracting gravity:separate engines provide lift and generate forward speed
• the maximum weight that an aircraft can raise: the Puma tactical transport helicopter has a total lift of up to 5,500 lb
• [mass noun] Cricket the tendency of a ball bowled to rise sharply on bouncing.
• a rise in price, level, or amount:the company has already produced a 10 per cent lift in profits
• informal an instance of stealing or plagiarizing something: in a speech he adopted the President’s familiar hand motions—it was a lift

• 3a free ride in another person’s vehicle:Miss Green is giving me a lift to school

• 4 [in singular] a feeling of confidence or cheerfulness:winning this match has given everyone a lift