Pronunciation: /wɜːrk ʌp/
noun a state of excitement or agitation
A1 I have a lot of work up ahead of me.
A2 She always puts in extra work up to make sure everything is perfect.
B1 The team has a lot of work up to do before the deadline.
B2 The project required a lot of work up front to ensure its success.
C1 The CEO's speech was the result of months of work up and preparation.
C2 The artist's masterpiece was the culmination of years of work up and dedication.
verb to build up or increase gradually
A1 I need to work up the courage to ask my boss for a raise.
A2 She is trying to work up a new recipe for her cooking blog.
B1 The team needs to work up a detailed plan for the project.
B2 He worked up a sweat during his intense workout at the gym.
C1 The artist worked up to creating a masterpiece after years of practice.
C2 She worked up the crowd with her powerful speech at the rally.
adverb in a gradually increasing manner
A1 I need to work up the courage to ask her out.
A2 She worked up a sweat after running for 30 minutes.
B1 The team worked up a detailed proposal for the new project.
B2 He worked up his appetite after a long day of hiking.
C1 She worked up a reputation as a top-notch lawyer in the city.
C2 The artist worked up to creating a masterpiece that would be displayed in museums worldwide.
formal She had to work up a detailed proposal before presenting it to the board.
informal I need to work up the courage to ask my boss for a raise.
slang I'm trying to work up the nerve to ask her out on a date.
figurative He had to work up his stamina before attempting the marathon.
worked up
work ups
more worked up
most worked up
work up
will work up
have worked up
is working up
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very worked up
to work up
working up
worked up