build up

/ˌbɪld ˈʌp/

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Type

Phrasal verb

Meaning

  1. To increase, accumulate, or strengthen gradually over time.

    • He ran every morning to build up his endurance for the upcoming marathon.

    • Tension had been building up between the two departments for months.

  2. To praise or promote someone or something enthusiastically to create high expectations.

    • The media built up the young rookie as the next superstar.

    • Why did you build the movie up so much if it was mediocre?

  3. To cover an area with many buildings or urban developments.

    • Developers gradually built up the quiet coastal town into a bustling resort.

    • That rural stretch of highway is being built up very quickly.

How it's used

When this means “increase or strengthen something”

Both orders mean the same thing.

  • build up strength
  • build strength up

it and them go in the middle: “build it up.” Not “build up it.”

She lifted weights to build up her stamina.

When this means “accumulate naturally”

  • pressure builds up

Snow began to build up along the driveway.

Collocations

  • build up stamina
  • build up savings
  • build up trust
  • build up speed
  • build up expectations
  • build up hype

Synonyms

Antonyms