work-up

American  

[wurk-uhp] / ˈwɜrkˌʌp /

noun

Printing.

1. an undesirable deposit of ink on a surface being printed, caused by the forcing into type-high position of quads or other spacing material.

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work up British  

verb

1. to arouse the feelings of; excite

2. to cause to grow or develop

   to work up a hunger

3. (also preposition) to move or cause to move gradually upwards

4. to manipulate or mix into a specified object or shape

5. to gain knowledge of or skill at (a subject)

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work up Idioms  

1. Arouse emotions; see worked up .

2. 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]

3. Intensify gradually, as in The film worked up to a thrilling climax . [Second half of 1600s]

4. Develop or produce by effort, as in Swimming always works up an appetite . [Second half of 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of work-up

Noun use of verb phrase work up

Example Sentences

When Warren first met her now-husband, she sent him for a full lab work-up, HSV test included.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2022

Her initial appointment in June 2012 was “the most thorough work-up I’ve ever had,” Gervais said.

From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2021

Yet, this is often what distressed patients with irritable bowel syndrome hear, implicitly or explicitly, when a medical work-up reveals no apparent explanation for their repeated bouts of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2021

The patient had a full cardiac work-up a few months earlier that he said was normal.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021

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

Related Words

• agitate
• animate
• excite
• get up
• inflame
• rouse