bolster your confidence
/ˈboʊlstər jɔːr ˈkɒnfɪdəns/
Meaning
To 'bolster your confidence' means to strengthen, support, or build up your belief in your own abilities. It is commonly used when someone receives encouragement, preparation, or a small success that makes them feel more secure and capable.
Examples
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Passing the practice exam really helped bolster my confidence before the final test.
Passing the practice exam really helped bolster my confidence before the final test.
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A few words of encouragement from the manager can bolster your confidence significantly.
A few words of encouragement from the manager can bolster your confidence significantly.
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She took a public speaking course to bolster her confidence in front of large crowds.
She took a public speaking course to bolster her confidence in front of large crowds.
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Receiving positive feedback on the draft did a lot to bolster his confidence.
Receiving positive feedback on the draft did a lot to bolster his confidence.
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Dressing professionally is a simple way to bolster your confidence before an interview.
Dressing professionally is a simple way to bolster your confidence before an interview.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I need to bolster up my confidence.
✓ I need to bolster my confidence.
'Bolster' does not require the preposition 'up' when used transitively with 'confidence'.
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✗ The training course will high my confidence.
✓ The training course will bolster my confidence.
'High' is an adjective, not a verb. 'Bolster' is the correct verb to describe strengthening confidence.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The positive reviews from early users helped to ___ as we launched the app.
💡 Build up or strengthen belief.
Show answer
bolster our confidence
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To ___ before the presentation, she practiced her speech in front of a mirror.
💡 Make herself feel more secure.
Show answer
bolster her confidence