WORK UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does work up mean? 

• WORK UP (verb)
  The verb WORK UP has 4 senses:

1. form or accumulate steadily

2. develop

3. bolster or strengthen

4. come up with

  Familiarity information: WORK UP used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WORK UP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Form or accumulate steadily

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

build; build up; progress; work up

Context example:

Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border

Hypernyms (to "work up" is one way to...):

develop (grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment)

Verb group:

build (develop and grow)

build; build up; ramp up; work up (bolster or strengthen)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Develop

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

get up; work up

Context example:

we worked up an as of an appetite

Hypernyms (to "work up" is one way to...):

acquire; develop; get; grow; produce (come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Bolster or strengthen

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

build; build up; ramp up; work up

Context example:

ramp up security in the airports

Hypernyms (to "work up" is one way to...):

increase (make bigger or more)

Verb group:

build; build up; progress; work up (form or accumulate steadily)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Come up with

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

work out; work up

Context example:

We worked up an ad for our client

Hypernyms (to "work up" is one way to...):

develop; make grow (cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development)

Verb group:

elaborate; work out (work out in detail)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

You must work up to me, my lad.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He would quit drinking, work up, and become a captain.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

In my aching head the one thought was throbbing that there really was truth in this man's story, that it was of tremendous consequence, and that it would work up into inconceivable copy for the Gazette when I could obtain permission to use it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Suppose you begin at thirty, an' work up to the forty.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)