Uphold

v. support, sustain; endorse, champion

Verb
1. keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last; "preserve the peace in the family"; "continue the family tradition"; "Carry on the old traditions"
(synonym) continue, carry on, bear on, preserve
(hypernym) keep, maintain, hold
(hyponym) resume, restart
(verb-group) continue, go on, proceed, go along, keep
(derivation) upholder, maintainer, sustainer
2. stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
(hypernym) defend, support, fend for
3. support against an opponent; "The appellate court upheld the verdict"
(synonym) maintain
(hypernym) confirm, reassert
(hyponym) justify, vindicate
(derivation) upholder, maintainer, sustainer

(v. t.)
To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling; to maintain.
  

(v. t.)
To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.
  

(v. t.)
To aid by approval or encouragement; to countenance; as, to uphold a person in wrongdoing.
  

The decision of an appellate court not to reverse a lower court decision.

da4 yi4 mie4 qin1
Killing one's blood relations to uphold justice.
Said of a person who places justice and righteousness above family considerations - even by sacrificing his own blood relatives. Compare with 杀妻求将 (sha1 qi1 qiu2 jiang4).