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:
If a patient gets a positive test, they are instructed to undergo a cancer work-up, whether that’s imaging or biopsies.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
The next time my mother tells me that something does not feel right, I will make sure her work-up is thorough and her screenings—the ones that the current evidence recommends—are current.
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
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
The new findings indicate that this protection may only work up to a point, said Angela Encerrado-Manriquez, the paper's lead author and a recent Ph.D. graduate from UC Davis.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
"I'm getting to sit and observe a master at work up close," Hansard said.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Professional-services firms have historically relied on a pyramid-based model, where scores of junior employees funnel their work up to more senior partners who have been promoted based on tenure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
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
“I don’t know. Who tells me anything? Señor Aguilar told me about the boy and your mother’s going home. Then he ordered me to do the work up here, too.”
From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty
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.
