Meaning of "bear up"

[Solly]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Bearing Information", question 1

Try and be a little more cheerful because if you don't bear ......... soon, you'll make everyone else miserable.

(a) through
(b) along
(c) up
(d) to

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Bearing Information", answer 1

Try and be a little more cheerful because if you don't bear up soon, you'll make everyone else miserable.

Correct answer: (c) up
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what is bear?

Solly

[Alan]

Hi Solly,

Bear as a verb has a general meaning of carry or support. The phrasal verb bear up suggests that you should try to lift your spirits/face what is happening/try to be more cheerful or optimistic.

A
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English as a Second Language
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