english
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Phrase(s): build someone or something up (from something)
to transform someone or something from a lowly start to a higher state. • I built up this business from nothing. • The publicity agent built this politician up from a cheap party hack., Phrase(s): build someone or something up (into someone or something)
to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. • The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. • The agent built up the local band into a top national act., Phrase(s): build someone up (for something)
Fig. to prepare someone for something; to bring a person into a state of mind to accept some information. • We built them up for the challenge they were to face. • We had to build up the woman before breaking the bad news., Phrase(s): build something up
1. Lit. to add buildings to an area of land or a neighborhood. • They are really building this area up. There is no more open space. • They built up the area over the years. 2. Fig. to develop, accumulate, or increase something, such as wealth, business, goodwill, etc. • I built this business up through hard work and hope. • She built up a good business over the years. 3. Fig. to praise or exalt something; to exaggerate the virtues of something. • The master of ceremonies built the act up so much that everyone was disappointed when they saw it. • He built up the act too much., Phrase(s): build up
to increase; to develop. • The storm clouds are building up. Better close the windows., Phrase(s): build someone or something up
1. Lit. to make someone or something bigger or stronger. • Tom is lifting weights to build himself up for basketball. • Tom needs to build up his upper body. 2. Fig. to advertise, praise, or promote someone or something. • Theatrical agents work very hard to build up their clients. • Advertising can build a product up so much that everyone will want it.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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1. Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400] 2. Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s] 3. Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s] 4. Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930] 5. Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image. [c. 1930]
American Heritage Idioms
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noun gradual increase ADJ. gradual, slow | steady | rapid | massive VERB + BUILD-UP cause, lead to The leak led to a slow build-up of carbon dioxide. | avoid, prevent PREP. during/in the ~ | ~ of period of time before an event ADJ. pre-match, pre-trial, etc. PREP. ~ to Tension is mounting in the build-up to the elections.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary