work up meaning and definition

WORK UP verb

Definition of work up (verb)

1. form or accumulate steadily
   • "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border"
   • synonyms: build, build up, progress
2. develop
   • "we worked up an as of an appetite"
   • synonyms: get up
3. bolster or strengthen
   • "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports"
   • synonyms: build, build up, ramp up
4. come up with
   • "His colleagues worked out his interesting idea"; "We worked up an ad for our client"
   • synonyms: work out