1.
to lift up, to raise
To elevate something physically.
重い荷物を持ち上げる。
To lift up heavy luggage.
箱を持ち上げた。
I lifted the box.
この石は重すぎて一人では持ち上げられない。
This rock is too heavy to lift by myself.
2.
to flatter, to praise excessively
To speak highly of someone (often to gain favor).
上司を持ち上げる。
To flatter one's boss.
みんなで彼を持ち上げている。
Everyone is flattering him.
おだてて持ち上げても、彼は喜ばない。
Even if you flatter him, he won't be pleased.
持ち上げる is a compound verb meaning to lift up physically or to flatter.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle for the object
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
持つ (to hold) + 上げる (to raise) = to lift up
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 荷物を持ち上げる: to lift luggage
- 箱を持ち上げる: to lift a box
- 人を持ち上げる: to flatter someone
- おだてて持ち上げる: to butter someone up
FIGURATIVE USE:
The "flattery" meaning comes from the image of elevating someone with praise. Often used critically to describe insincere praise or sycophantic behavior.