Английский словарь американских идиом - shore up

{v.} To add support to (something) where weakness is shown; make (something) stronger where support is needed; support. * /When the flood waters weakened the bridge, it was shored up with steel beams and sandbags until it could be rebuilt./ * /The coach sent in a substitute guard to shore up the line when Fitchburg began to break through./ SHORN See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB.