Work up Meaning in English
expression
ˈwɝk/ /ˈəp
WURK-UP
wˈɜːk/ /ˈʌp
WURK-UP
Definition
To gradually develop a physical or emotional state, such as courage, anger, or an appetite, or to prepare or generate something with effort.
Usage & Nuances
'Work up' is informal and phrasal. Commonly used with feelings: 'work up the courage', 'work up an appetite'. Sometimes means to cause someone to become upset. In medical context, can mean to examine or investigate.
Spanish: preparar - generar (emoción) - reunir fuerzasPortuguese (BR): preparar - animar-se - desenvolverPortuguese (PT): preparar - animar-se - desenvolverChinese (Simplified): 激起 - 鼓起(勇气、情绪) - 逐渐产生Chinese (Traditional): 激起 - 鼓起(勇氣、情緒) - 逐漸產生Hindi: तैयार करना - भावनाएँ उभारना - मन बनानाArabic: تهيئة - استجماع (القوة أو المشاعر) - إثارةBengali: তৈরি করা - বাড়ানোRussian: нарабатывать - разжигать (чувство) - доводить до (состояния)Japanese: 徐々に高める - 勇気を出す - 作り上げるVietnamese: làm tăng dần - lấy (dũng khí, cảm xúc)Korean: 점차 키우다 - 용기를 내다 - 만들어 내다Turkish: yavaş yavaş geliştirmek - cesaret toplamak - hazırlamakUrdu: تدریجاً پیدا کرنا - ہمت جمع کرنا - تیار کرناIndonesian: membangkitkan - mengumpulkan (keberanian, nafsu makan) - menyusun
Example Sentences
She tried to work up the courage to speak in front of the class.
basic
After running, you'll work up an appetite.
basic
He got worked up about the bad news.
basic
It took me hours to work up the nerve to call her.
natural
Don’t get worked up over the little things.
natural
Let’s work up a plan before we start.
natural