What does "Will Lift Sanctions" mean? [closed]

Solution 1:

Your assumption is totally reasonable. Lift definitely does have the meaning you're thinking of:

lift

1 a : to raise from a lower to a higher position : elevate
b : to raise in rank or condition
c : to raise in rate or amount

But it also has this other meaning:

3 : revoke, rescind
// lift an embargo

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lift

In the case of "lifting sanctions," this other meaning is employed. How do we know that it's this latter meaning and not the former? Only because "lifting sanctions" is a common phrase and it always has this meaning.

Also note, in case this wasn't annoying enough, that sanction can have essentially opposite meanings:

How did 'sanction' come to have two opposite meanings?