Build up to Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɪɫd/ /ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
BILD-uhp-too, BILD-uhp-tuh, BILD-uhp-tih
bˈɪld/ /ˈʌp/ /tˈuː
BILD-up-TOO
Definition
To slowly prepare for an important event, action, or moment, often by increasing the intensity, excitement, or importance over time.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used with events, announcements, or performances. Common with 'the big day', 'a speech', or 'the main event'. Focuses on gradual preparation, not sudden change. Not the same as 'lead to', which means 'cause'.
Spanish: preparar para - ir aumentando hastaPortuguese (BR): preparar-se para - aumentar atéPortuguese (PT): preparar-se para - aumentar atéChinese (Simplified): 逐渐发展到 - 为...做准备Chinese (Traditional): 逐漸發展到 - 為...做準備Hindi: की ओर बढ़ना - तैयारी करनाArabic: يهيئ لِـ - يتدرج نحوBengali: ধীরে ধীরে প্রস্তুতি নেওয়া - গুরুত্ব বৃদ্ধি করাRussian: постепенно готовиться к - наращивать напряжение передJapanese: 徐々に準備する - 徐々に盛り上げるVietnamese: chuẩn bị dần cho - tăng dần mức độKorean: 점차 준비하다 - 분위기를 고조시키다Turkish: yavaş yavaş hazırlık yapmak - heyecanı artırmakUrdu: آہستہ آہستہ تیاری کرنا - شدت میں اضافہ کرناIndonesian: membangun secara bertahap - mempersiapkan perlahan
Example Sentences
We are building up to the final match of the season.
basic
She built up to telling her boss the truth.
basic
The music slowly built up to a loud climax.
basic
We're all building up to the big announcement next week.
natural
He didn’t just quit—he built up to it for months.
natural
The tension in the movie builds up to an incredible ending.
natural