raise
Lift something upward
To move something up to a higher place.
to raise [something] [up/into/above something]
- Please raise your hand if you know the answer.
- They raised the flag at sunrise.
- She raised the box onto the shelf.
- The workers raised the heavy beam into place.
- Raise your hand if you want to speak.
- He raised the chair onto the table.
- The boy raised the ball over his head.
- Please raise the window a little.
Increase a value or level
To make a number, price, or level go up.
to raise [prices/salary/temperature/etc.]
- The company plans to raise prices next year.
- They raised the temperature in the room.
- We need to raise our standards of service.
- The government raised taxes on cigarettes.
- The store will raise prices next month.
- They raised the rent for the apartment.
- We must raise the speed limit here.
- They raised the temperature in the house.
Bring up a child or animal
To take care of and teach a child or animal until grown up.
to raise [a child/children/animal]
- They raised three children together.
- She was raised by her grandparents.
- The farmer raises chickens and goats.
- He raised his daughter alone after his wife died.
- My parents raised me in a small town.
- They raise cows on their farm.
- She raised her son with love.
- He was raised by his aunt.
Collect money for something
To get money from people for something special, like helping others or starting a project.
to raise [money/funds] for [something]
- They raised $10,000 for the hospital.
- We are raising funds to build a new school.
- The organization raises money to help homeless people.
- We want to raise money for sick children.
- They raised money for the new library.
- She raised funds to help poor families.
Introduce a topic or issue
To start talking about a new subject or problem.
to raise [a question/an issue/a concern]
- She raised an important question during the meeting.
- The report raises concerns about safety standards.
- He raised the issue of parking shortages.
- I want to raise a question about this plan.
- He raised an issue about the cost.
- She raised concerns about the food quality.
Increase in pay at work
More money you get for your work than before.
- I got a raise after my performance review.
- She asked her boss for a raise.
- He's hoping for a big raise this year.
- She got a raise last month.
- He asked for a raise at work.
- I hope I get a raise soon.
- Base: raise
- Plural: raises
- Base: raise
- 3rd Person Singular: raises
- Present Participle: raising
- Past: raised
raise one's voice
1Speak louder than usual, often angrily
To talk louder than normal, often because you are angry or want to be heard clearly.
- Don't raise your voice at me!
- He had to raise his voice so everyone could hear him over the noise.
raise the bar
1Set higher standards or expectations
To make people work to meet better and harder goals than before.
- The new smartphone has raised the bar for design and performance.
- Her performance in the role has really raised the bar for future actors.
raise awareness
1Make more people know about something important
To help more people know and think about an important subject or problem.
- The campaign aims to raise awareness about climate change.
- The charity works to raise awareness about mental health issues.
- We organized an event to raise awareness of mental health issues.
- We organized a march to raise awareness of climate change.
raise eyebrows
1Cause surprise or disapproval
To make people feel surprised or not approve of something you do.
- Her sudden resignation raised eyebrows among her colleagues.
- The politician's comment raised eyebrows across the country.
- Wearing shorts to the formal dinner raised some eyebrows.
- Her sudden resignation raised a few eyebrows in the office.
raise hell
1Cause loud trouble or protest strongly
To make a lot of noise and trouble because you are angry or excited.
- The crowd raised hell after the referee's bad call.
- He'll raise hell if they try to fire him.
raise hell
2cause trouble or disturbance
To make trouble, protest loudly, or create a noisy disturbance.
- The fans raised hell after their team lost.
- He’ll raise hell if he finds out what happened.