work-up
Americannoun
verb
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to arouse the feelings of; excite
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to cause to grow or develop
to work up a hunger
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(also preposition) to move or cause to move gradually upwards
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to manipulate or mix into a specified object or shape
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to gain knowledge of or skill at (a subject)
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Arouse emotions; see worked up .
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Increase one's skill, status, or responsibility through effort, as in He worked up to 30 sit-ups a day , or She worked up to bank manager . Also see work one's way . [Second half of 1600s]
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Intensify gradually, as in The film worked up to a thrilling climax . [Second half of 1600s]
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Develop or produce by effort, as in Swimming always works up an appetite . [Second half of 1600s]
Etymology
Origin of work-up
Noun use of verb phrase work 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.
Neurology was consulted and did an extensive work-up: blood tests, CT scans, an M.R.I., an EEG, a spinal tap.
From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024
Shortly afterwards, I scheduled a full audiologist work-up.
From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2023
In detail and sweep, “Emily” nevertheless shares many of the handsome, cozily inviting essentials of a standard biographical work-up.
From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023
When Warren first met her now-husband, she sent him for a full lab work-up, HSV test included.
From Slate • Aug. 1, 2022
When she sought an abortion, a work-up revealed a 24-week fetus with extreme anomalies and an unusually large placenta.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2019
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.
