beef-up

[ beef-uhp ]

/ ˈbifˌʌp /

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noun

an act or instance of strengthening or reinforcing.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of beef-up

Noun use of verb phrase beef up

Words nearby beef-up

beefsteak plant, beefsteak tomato, beef stroganoff, beef tea, beef tomato, beef-up, beef Wellington, beefwood, beefy, bee glue, bee gum

How to use beef-up in a sentence

This is also a show that decided that in order to get better it needed to beef up its female presence.
It’s OK to Like ‘The Big Bang Theory’|Kevin Fallon|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The administration had been preparing to beef up its list of Russian human rights violators.
Exclusive: Obama Declines to Add Names to Russian Sanction List|Josh Rogin|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After 9/11/2001, good fear prompted us to beef up transportation security.
The Year of Bad Fear—and How to End It in 2013|Jaimal Yogis|December 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She appeared in high-school plays and went to NYU to beef up on literature.
Gina Gershon on ‘Killer Joe,’ Tom Cruise, ‘Showgirls,’ ‘Bound’|Ramin Setoodeh|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

For the time being, all they desire is to beef up U.S. military spending and presence in Asia.
Leslie H. Gelb: The Dangers of Warmongering on Syria, Iran|Leslie H. Gelb|March 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They smoked the hams in him, and they sometimes put bacon and dried beef up there.
The House With Sixty Closets|Frank Samuel Child
Cut the beef up into tiny bits; pour boiling water over it and let it stand one minute; pour it off and squeeze the meat dry.
The Fun of Cooking|Caroline French Benton
When nearly done, take vegetables out and mash them well, and also cut the beef up fine.
Housekeeping in Old Virginia|Marion Cabell Tyree
D'ye hear, George, carry that big piece of roast beef up to the Lion.
Fontainbleau|John O'Keeffe
"I guess that's why they were so anxious to get the beef up to the pasture to-night," said Kit.
Ted Strong in Montana|Edward C. Taylor

Other Idioms and Phrases with beef-up

beef up

Strengthen, reinforce, as in Mary wants us to beef up her part in the play. This phrase relies on an older slang sense of beef as “muscles” or “power.” [Colloquial; late 1800s]