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.
The show — about a traveling circus — boasts an ensemble with as many acrobats as actors, all of whom must warm up prior to performing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
Banks large and small have started to warm up to the idea of their own stablecoins, despite early doubts from some executives that there will be much demand for them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
The young actress got into the bath to warm up with Ghost joining her shortly after.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The meet, which was staged in a gym with one set of bleachers and fans sitting on mats, was an intimate warm up for the arena stage Ohashi will take at the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
I warm up bowls of beans and rice, which we already had two days in a row.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
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.
