Lifted

'lɪftɪd

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To raise or move something upwards.

'lɪftɪd

verbneutralBeginner
General

To raise something to a higher position or level.

The crane lifted the container onto the ship.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to reach something on a high shelf. You might have to stand on your toes and lift your arm up to get it. That's like lifting! Example: The little boy lifted his toy car up in the air.

👶 For kids: To pick something up.

More Examples

2

She lifted her gaze to meet his.

3

The storm lifted the roof off the house.

How It's Used

General

"He lifted the heavy box."

Transportation

"The plane lifted off the runway."

2

To remove or end a restriction, burden, or feeling.

'lɪftɪd

verbpositivemedium
General

To remove a restriction or burden.

The government lifted the travel restrictions.

💡 Simply: Imagine you had to wait for a long time to get something. When it finally comes, it’s like a weight has been lifted, and you're free. Example: The doctor lifted the restriction on her activities after she recovered.

👶 For kids: To make something that's not allowed, allowed.

More Examples

2

The good news lifted her from her depression.

3

The clouds lifted, and the sun came out.

How It's Used

Legal

"The court lifted the ban on the publication."

Figurative

"The news lifted his spirits."

Tip:Picture a weight being lifted off your shoulders - a feeling of relief.
3

To copy or plagiarize something, usually without permission.

'lɪftɪd

verbnegativemedium
General

To copy or plagiarize.

The writer lifted a paragraph from another author's book.

💡 Simply: Imagine if you copy someone else's homework and pretend it's your own. That's like lifting content, except it's not the right thing to do! Example: The comedian was criticized for lifting jokes from another comedian's show.

👶 For kids: To copy someone else's work.

More Examples

2

The song's melody was accused of being lifted from an older piece.

3

He was criticized for lifting content from the internet without attribution.

How It's Used

Academic

"The journalist was accused of lifting material from other sources."

Tip:Like lifting something without paying – stealing an idea.

Idioms & expressions

lift someone's spirits

To make someone feel happier or more cheerful.

"A funny joke can really lift someone's spirits."

lift a finger

To do something, especially to help someone. Often used in the negative (won't lift a finger) to mean not doing anything.

"He wouldn't lift a finger to help with the chores."

From Middle English liften, liften, from Old English *lyftan, *lyftian (“to lift, raise”), from Proto-Germanic *luftijaną (“to lift”), from *luftuz (“air, sky”).

The word 'lift' has been used since Old English, initially referring to the action of raising something physically. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass the removal of restrictions and emotional upliftment.

Memory tip

Think of lifting weights: you are raising them upwards.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"To raise"

lift a weightlift a boxlift a banlift restrictionslift spirits

Common misspellings

lifedliftid

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written