So the Tories are desperate to shore up their base among middle-class voters: time therefore for a risk.

ECONOMIST: Clue: not John Major

And she needs to make converts not just shore up the base if she is serious about becoming president.

BBC: Republican fireworks seek to catch attention

Hoping to shore up his base, Romney hit two local businesses and a country club in Nashua, where he stood in front of a giant to-do list and cast himself as a proven manager who could get the job done.

NPR: McCain, Romney Seek Paths to a N.H. Victory

They are pulling back credit lines to shore up their borrowing base, reducing exposure and living off fees.

FORBES: It Isn't the Fiscal Cliff; It's Limited Access to Capital that's Crippling Small Business

The brokerage house recorded a wider than expected loss for the second quarter and announced asset sales to shore up its capital base.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Last week they got a temporary boost when world central banks announced a coordinated effort to shore up the capital base of select troubled European banks.

FORBES: Sticking With Amazon And Apple As The Fed Goes Twistin'

TiVo hopes the devices will help the pioneering DVR company shore up a slipping subscriber base by catching up with how digital-era consumers increasingly seek out entertainment.

CNN: TiVo adds Web, music, movies with Premiere

This also raises some cash to shore up the its reserves which could allay some analysts concerns about its capital base.

FORBES: Bank of America Sells Card Business, Stock Bound For $11

While the ship's captain fretted about being trapped for the winter, the crew and shore party hurried to unload the ship and build the hut that would be the expedition's base and winter quarters.

BBC: In the footsteps of Shackleton