pˈɑːɹt ʌvðə ɹˈʌnɪŋ ɹˈɪɡɪŋ, tˈɑːpɪŋ lˈɪfts ɑːɹ pɹaɪmˈɛɹᵻli jˈuːzd tə hˈoʊld ɐ bˈuːm ˌʌp wɛn ðə sˈeɪl ɪz lˈoʊɚd.
Part of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when the sail is lowered.