support
see also HELP
- to give sb help, money, friendship, etc when they need it: support sb; noun (U): support
Thank you so much for your support. ◎ wholehearted support (= complete support)
- a person who gives sb support is supportive
When I was ill and short of money, all my friends were wonderfully supportive.
- to support sb/sth by giving them money: back sb/sth; noun (U): backing
- a person who does not change their support for sb/sth is faithful, loyal; nouns (U): faithfulness, loyalty
Ian is a faithful friend. ◎ a loyal husband/wife/colleague
- to say or do sth that shows that you support sb/sth: stand* up for sb/sth, (informal) stick* up for sb/sth
He was always ready to stand up for his beliefs.
- to say or write sth to support sb: defend sb/sth (against sb/sth)
Mrs. Smith wrote to the newspaper, defending her husband against the criticism.
- to support sb/sth, especially by saying that sth is true: back sb/sth up
Two people backed up his story that he was in Manchester at the time of the murder.
- when one group of people supports another, they all stick* together
- a person or a country that helps and supports you: ally
our political allies
- to agree with the aims of a person or an organization: support sb/sth; the help that you give: support (noun U); a person who does this: supporter
to support the government ◎ to rely on people's support ◎ supporters of animal rights
- to give strong support to a particular person or idea: champion sb/sth; a person who does this: champion (of sth)
to champion the cause of human rights ◎ a champion of free speech
- to have a particular sports team, etc as your favourite: support sb/sth; a person who does this: supporter, fan
a Liverpool fan
※ not supporting sb/sth
- to disagree with sb/sth and try to change or stop them/it: oppose sb/sth, be opposed to sb/sth; the act of opposing sb/sth: opposition (noun U)
Local residents opposed the plan for the bypass. ◎ I am opposed to a ban on smoking in the school. ◎ to express your opposition to sth
- the people who oppose sb/sth: opposition (noun U)
Mike has joined the opposition.
- to say in public that you do not like or agree with sth: come* out against sth
The Prime Minister has come out against capital punishment.
- if you do or say sth that harms sb/sth that you should support, you are disloyal (to sb/sth); noun (U): disloyalty
- to stop supporting sb/sth and start opposing them/it: turn against sb/sth
Public opinion has turned against the President.
- if you do not want to show your support for one person rather than another, you do not take* sides
It has been a long and involved argument, and I refuse to take sides.
- if you do not support any side in an argument or a war, etc, you are neutral; noun (U): neutrality
to remain neutral
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