Verb

aufrecht|erhalten

to maintain, to uphold, to sustain

Wir müssen die Ordnung aufrechterhalten.

We must maintain order.

Er erhielt seinen Anspruch aufrecht.

He upheld his claim.

Es ist schwer, die Motivation aufrechtzuerhalten.

It is hard to sustain motivation.

((sth.acc)) to maintain/uphold sth. The company wants to maintain its good reputation.

Synonyms: beibehalten, wahren, bewahren; Antonyms: aufgeben (to give up)

Composed of 'aufrecht' (upright) and 'erhalten' (to keep, maintain). Literally, it means 'to keep something upright'.

Picture physically 'keeping' ('erhalten') something 'upright' ('aufrecht') so it doesn't fall over. Apply this image to abstract concepts like order, contact, or motivation.

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