work-up
noun
an undesirable deposit of ink on a surface being printed, caused by the forcing into type-high position of quads or other spacing material.
work-up
American
[wurk-uhp]
/ ˈwɜrkˌʌp /
noun
Printing.
work up
British
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
-
to gain knowledge of or skill at (a subject)
work up
Idioms
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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.
See Examples For:
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
When Warren first met her now-husband, she sent him for a full lab work-up, HSV test included.
From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2022
Sawas focused on the two abnormalities of the work-up — the inflammation of the small intestine and the low elastase.
From New York Times ● Apr. 14, 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
It’s not bad for someone who just a few years ago needed to work up the courage to see himself as a director.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
Doing that hard work up front is what makes every decision after it simple and fast.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 5, 2026
Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia can work up the information necessary to submit a seizure warrant to the court in a matter of weeks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026
He can’t manage to work up the energy for a more convincing deflection.
From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2025
When I work up the courage to look at her again, she’s staring across the fire with her eyebrows drawn together.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
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.
