3.105 abstract nouns as object

If the object of a phrasal verb is an abstract noun such as 'hope', 'confidence', or 'support', it usually comes after the second word of the phrasal verb. So, although you can say, 'He built his business up', you usually say, 'We are trying to build up trust with the residents'. Similarly, although you can say 'He put my parents up for the night', you normally say, 'The peasants are putting up a lot of resistance'.

• The newspapers whipped up sympathy for them.
• They attempted to drum up support from the students.
• He didn't hold out much hope for them.