work up

work up idiom
  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]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.