to arouse the feelings of; excite
to cause to grow or develop
to work up a hunger
(also preposition) to move or cause to move gradually upwards
to manipulate or mix into a specified object or shape
to gain knowledge of or skill at (a subject)
Arouse emotions; see worked up .
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]
Intensify gradually, as in The film worked up to a thrilling climax . [Second half of 1600s]
Develop or produce by effort, as in Swimming always works up an appetite . [Second half of 1600s]
Noun use of verb phrase work up
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
The Harvard scientists examined studies that used a method known as “active case ascertainment,” a process where every participant is screened with an extensive work-up to confirm a dementia diagnosis, Weisskopf said.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 5, 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
Doing that hard work up front is what makes every decision after it simple and fast.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 5, 2026
Given the current resources being devoted to oil tankers, they said the group can work up the information necessary to submit a seizure warrant to the court in a matter of weeks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025
Then you work up the chutzpah to share it with other people.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say "I'm gay" before coming out on 27 October 2021.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2025
When I was at work, up in the Roseland men’s room, I just couldn’t keep still.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
