warm up
Britishverb
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to make or become warm or warmer
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(intr) to exercise in preparation for and immediately before a game, contest, or more vigorous exercise
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to get ready for something important; prepare
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to run or operate (an engine, etc) until the normal working temperature or condition is attained, or (of an engine, etc) to undergo this process
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to make or become more animated or enthusiastic
the party warmed up when Tom came
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to reheat (already cooked food) or (of such food) to be reheated
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(tr) to make (an audience) relaxed and receptive before a show, esp a television comedy show
noun
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the act or an instance of warming up
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a preparatory exercise routine
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Prepare for exercise or an athletic event by stretching or practicing beforehand, as in It's important to warm up before you play any sport . The idiom is also applied to musicians getting ready to perform. [Late 1800s]
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Make enthusiastic, excited, or animated, as in He was good at warming up an audience for the main speaker . [Mid-1800s]
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Also, warm up to . Become friendlier or more receptive toward, as in I had a hard time warming up to my mother-in-law . [Early 1800s]
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Reach a temperature high enough to work efficiently, as in I'll go out and warm up the car . [Mid-1900s]
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Reheat food, as in If we warm up the leftovers, we'll have enough for everyone . [Mid-1800s]
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Approach a state of violence or confrontation, as in Racial tension was rapidly warming up . Also see heat up .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Advice from Wirecutter: Warm up with a space heater.
From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2023
Warm up your home and surround yourself in fall's signature aroma with TJ's Honeycrisp Apple Scented Candle.
From Salon • Oct. 10, 2022
Warm up your trivia muscles with this week’s Slate News Quiz.
From Slate • Apr. 8, 2022
Warm up after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating or sledding at the inn’s spa, where overnight guests and day-spa users have access to a cedar sauna.
From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2022
Warm up the sauce in melted butter, but do not let it boil.
From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
