underpin
English
WOTD – 13 March 2009
Etymology
under- + pin.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˌʌn.dəˈpɪn/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˌʌn.dɚˈpɪn/, /ˈʌn.dɚˌpɪn/
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Verb
underpin (third-person singular simple present underpins, present participle underpinning, simple past and past participle underpinned)
- (transitive) To support from below with props or masonry.
- You should underpin the mine roof to prevent further collapse.
- (transitive, figuratively) To give support to; to corroborate.
- Public confidence in politicians must underpin our democracy.
- 2016 October 24, Owen Gibson, “Is the unthinkable happening – are people finally switching the football off?”, in The Guardian, London:
- Since Rupert Murdoch famously bet the farm on Premier League football to rescue Sky TV in 1991, it has been the catnip that has underpinned subscriber loyalty and, even in a far more complicated media landscape, is seen as so vital as to be worth almost any price.
- 2019 November 6, “Eurostar reports another increase in passengers”, in Rail, page 25:
- The operator said the results were underpinned by a 16% increase in Q3 sales from North America.
Translations
To support from below with props or masonry
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To give support to
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