aloft

come aloft

obsolete slang To have an erection. But he could not rid the visage of the ghoul from his mind, and thus he could not come aloft despite the buxom maiden stretched before him. Keep your lover from imbibing too much alcohol tonight, or he will not be able to come aloft in the bedroom later.

See also: aloft, come

hold aloft

1. Literally, to keep someone or something raised, supported, or suspended in the air or a higher place. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "aloft." He walked into the street, holding aloft a sign that read "The End Is Nigh." The immense statue was held aloft by a very thin column that started to crack almost immediately. The dancer held his partner aloft as he spun around the dance floor.

2. To maintain something in a position of importance or interest. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "aloft." The group has been holding aloft the ideals of humanism for nearly two decades. Please, when have big business owners ever held morality aloft? It's all about profits with them and always has been. I've held aloft my principles my whole life, and I don't intend to compromise them now with your gang of thugs!

See also: aloft, hold

stitch aloft

1. verb, dated To stitch (a shoe or its sole) such that the stitches are exposed, rather than hidden in a covered channel. Stitching aloft has become the new vogue style in men's footwear.

2. adjective, dated Having such stitches exposed. The shoes are black patent leather, stitch aloft, with nickel eyelets.

See also: aloft, stitch

take aloft

1. old-fashioned To cause an aircraft to fly in the air. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "aloft." We've just finished restoring a vintage biplane from 1945. I can't wait to get out and take it aloft for the first time! French inventor Clément Ader claimed to have taken aloft the world's first fully self-propelled fixed-wing aircraft on October 9th, 1890.

2. old-fashioned To bring someone or something up into the air during flight. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "aloft." They simulate zero gravity by taking passengers aloft to extreme heights and then plummeting back down toward the ground. We'll be taking aloft a huge cargo, so we're going to be flying very heavy.

See also: aloft, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

take something aloft

to take an aircraft into the air. The pilot took the plane aloft and tested it out. When will you take this aloft for a test flight?

See also: aloft, take

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.