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.
Then I’ll come out my room, which is a freezer — it’s literally 59 degrees because I gotta sleep in the cold — to warm up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
It may start to warm up slightly later this week with temperatures in the south-east up to the mid-20s Celsius.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
Despite that, afternoon highs in northern areas should still warm up to 18C while central and southern parts will reach the low 20s - very close to the average for the end of August.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
OTTAWA—Canada’s job market continued to warm up into the summer, with the private sector again driving hiring in July that helped push the unemployment rate to a two-year low.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Not to spring out of bed to warm up his dinner when I heard his key in the door.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
