Meaning
To lean or prop yourself against something for support — 'brace up gainst di wall' means lean against the wall. It also means to steady, prop, or shore something up so it doesn't fall, and, of a person, to steady or prepare oneself for something hard. From 'brace' (support/steady), it is about leaning on or bracing against.
Examples
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Him brace up gainst di gate a wait.
He's leaning against the gate waiting.
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Brace up di board so it nuh fall.
Prop the board up so it doesn't fall.
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Brace up yuhself, di news nuh good.
Steady yourself; the news isn't good.
Origin
From 'brace' (support/steady) + 'up'; to lean against, prop, or steady. See [[cotch]], [[lean-up]].
How it’s used
To lean/prop against; also to steady/prepare oneself. See [[cotch]], [[cotch-up]].