underpin
gb/ˈʌndɚpˌɪn/ us/ˈʌndɚpˌɪn/
C1
English
~ 9400
alátámaszt, megalapoz, aláalapoz
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
alátámaszt
B2
megalapoz
B2
Usage pattern:
to underpin [idea/system] (with [evidence/principles])
The new data strongly underpins her argument about climate change.
Az új adatok erősen alátámasztják az éghajlatváltozással kapcsolatos érvelését.
Transparent rules and fair courts underpin a healthy democracy.
Az átlátható szabályok és a tisztességes bíróságok megalapozzák az egészséges demokráciát.
Long-term investment in education underpins the country’s economic growth.
These core values underpin everything the company does.
Scientific research underpins the guidelines doctors use to treat patients.
Learner examples
Clear facts underpin his main point.
A világos tények alátámasztják a fő állítását.
Strong laws underpin safety in this country.
Az erős törvények megalapozzák az ország biztonságát.
Trust underpins a good relationship.
Good training underpins their success as a team.
Basic rules underpin how the school works.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "underpin" with "underline" and say things like *"These results underline the theory"* when they mean *"underpin"*. "Underline" means to show that something is important; "underpin" means to give it a strong base or reason. Another common mistake is to use "underpin" with a person as the object (*"He underpins me"*); instead, it should take an idea or system as the object, as in *"His work underpins my theory."*
Meaning
support or justify an abstract thing
Collocations
underpin an argument
|underpin a policy
|underpin a theory
|underpin economic growth
|underpin the economy
|underpin reforms
Synonyms
support (More general and common; does not carry the same formal tone of giving deep or structural backing.)
|
underlie (Focuses more on simply being the basis of something, without the stronger idea of actively strengthening it.)
|
bolster (Implies actively strengthening or improving something, often more dynamic and less structural than "underpin".)
Antonyms
undermine (Means to weaken or damage the basis of an idea, argument, or system, the opposite of giving it strong support.)
Themes
academia
|business
|politics
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to be the main support or reason for an idea, argument, system, or process
To give basic support or justification to an idea, argument, system, or process so that it is strong, believable, or able to continue.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
2
aláalapoz
C1
Usage pattern:
to underpin [building/wall/foundations]
The old terrace houses had to be underpinned before the new road tunnel was dug nearby.
A régi sorházakat alá kellett alapozni, mielőtt a közelben kiásták az új közúti alagutat.
Engineers decided to underpin the church tower after cracks appeared in the stonework.
A mérnökök úgy döntöttek, hogy aláalapozzák a templomtornyot, miután repedések jelentek meg a kőfalazatban.
The foundations were underpinned to prevent further movement of the building.
They used concrete piles to underpin the wall along the riverbank.
Underpinning the existing structure allowed the owners to add an extra floor safely.
Learner examples
Workers will underpin the old house next year.
A munkások jövőre aláalapozzák a régi házat.
The company underpinned the bridge to make it safe.
A cég aláalapozta a hidat, hogy biztonságossá tegye.
Engineers underpinned the wall because the ground moved.
They had to underpin the building after the flood.
Concrete was used to underpin the weak foundations.
Common mistake:
Learners often do not realize that "underpin" has a literal, technical meaning in construction and use only the abstract sense. Another mistake is to use it with the wrong object, for example *"underpin the ground"* instead of the structure resting on it; usually you underpin the building, wall, or foundations, not the soil itself.
Meaning
strengthen the foundations of a structure
Collocations
underpin a building
|underpin the foundations
|underpin a wall
|underpin the structure
|underpin a bridge
|underpin subsiding foundations
Synonyms
reinforce (More general term for making something stronger; does not specifically mean adding support beneath foundations.)
|
stabilize (Focuses on making something steady and safe, but does not specifically mention adding structural support underneath.)
Antonyms
weaken (Means to make a structure less strong or less stable, the opposite of strengthening its foundations.)
Themes
construction
|engineering
|housing
|work
|science
Definition
to put extra support under a building or wall to make it stronger or safer
To strengthen, stabilize, or replace the foundations of a building or other structure by adding support beneath it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
underpin
IPA
GB/ˈʌndɚpˌɪn/
US/ˈʌndɚpˌɪn/
Syllables & stress
un - der - pin (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (un)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: underpin
- 3rd Person Singular: underpins
- Present Participle: underpinning
- Past: underpinned
Word family
Forms
underpins
verb
underpinning
verb
underpinned
verb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: underpinning Verb
- Irregular past: underpinned Verb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.