build up
phrasal verb·5 senses·particle up
Meanings
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“Pressure has been building up for months.”
“Dust built up on the shelves over the week.”
Develop or strengthen something over time
Why “up”? A new thing appears or is made.
“She built up a successful business.”
“He built up his strength after the illness.”
Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are
Why “up”? Something is made neater, better-looking, more impressive, or more appealing.
“The press built him up as a future president.”
“The trailer built the film up as the year's biggest hit.”
Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally
“Praise builds children up.”
“Her coach built her up after the loss.”
Create momentum towards a moment or event
“The film builds up to a dramatic ending.”
“The music built up before the final chorus.”
Common mistake
We need to build up of our savings.
We need to build up our savings.
Build up takes the object directly — no of.
Natural collocations
The word partners “build up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Build up means gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity. Build in means include something as a permanent part of a design.
Test yourself
“Pressure has been building up for months.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
build in
A contrast learners often mix up
Include something as a permanent part of a design
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
come up
Same up pattern: making
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
conjure up
Same up pattern: making
Invent as if by magic
cook up
Same up pattern: making
Devise (often something dubious)
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Drill “build up” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
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- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
