lift all boats

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From the proverb a rising tide lifts all boats.

Verb[edit]

lift all boats (third-person singular simple present lifts all boats, present participle lifting all boats, simple past and past participle lifted all boats)

  1. (idiomatic) To benefit all participants; to have a wide-ranging positive effect.
    • 2000 July 26, Paul Shepard, “Report on black Americans both encouraging and sobering”, in Arlington Star-Telegram, volume 95, number 92, page 4A:
      “The strong demand for labor has lifted all boats in the American economy and we are no exception,” Price said.