prop

prop¹ [prɔp US pra:p] v past tense and past participle propped present participle propping [T always + adverb/preposition]

to support something by leaning it against something, or by putting something else under, next to, or behind it

prop sth against/on sth

▪ He propped his bike against a tree.

▪ Can we prop the window open with something?

prop up [prop sth<=>up] phr v

1.) to prevent something from falling by putting something against it or under it

▪ The builders are trying to prop up the crumbling walls of the church.

prop something<=>up against

▪ paintings propped up against the wall

2.) to help an ↑economy, industry, or government so that it can continue to exist, especially by giving money

▪ The government introduced measures to prop up the stock market.

3.) prop yourself up

to hold your body up by leaning against something

prop yourself up on/against/with

▪ She propped herself up on one elbow.

prop ²

prop² n

[Sense: 1,3,5; Date: 1400-1500; : Middle Dutch; Origin: proppe]

[Sense: 2; Date: 1800-1900; Origin: property]

[Sense: 4; Date: 1900-2000; Origin: propeller]

1.) an object placed under or against something to hold it in a particular position

2.) [usually plural]

a small object such as a book, weapon etc, used by actors in a play or film

▪ Anna looks after costumes and props.

▪ stage props

3.) something or someone that helps you to feel strong

▪ She was becoming an emotional prop for him.

4.) informal a ↑propeller

5.) also prop forward

one of the players in a ↑rugby team, who is large and strong and holds up the ↑scrum