1
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warm (sb) up
[ M ]
to entertain people while they are waiting for a performance to start, for example by telling jokes
• He's got a job warming up for TV studio audiences.
• He was warming the audience up with his world-famous jokes., warm up
EVENT
1. informal If an event warms up, it starts to become more interesting, enjoyable or exciting
• The party was only just starting to warm up as I left., warm to sth
If you warm to an idea, you start to become interested in or enthusiastic about it
• Unfortunately, I had to leave just as the speaker was warming to his theme., warm up
EXERCISE
2. to prepare yourself for a physical activity by doing some gentle exercises and stretches
• If you don't warm up before taking exercise, you risk injuring yourself., warm (sb/sth) up
[ M ]
to become warmer or to make someone or something warmer
• The house soon warms up with the heating on.
• I'll just warm up the engine while you're getting your coats on., warm sth up
[ M ]
to heat food that has already been cooked
• I might just warm up the leftovers from yesterday's meal in the microwave., warm sth over
[ M ] US disapproving
to use an idea that has been used before or to discuss a subject that has already been discussed before
• Voters are bored with politicians warming over old policies.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
adj. at a fairly high temperature VERBS be, feel, look | get, grow How can we get warm? She felt her face grow warm at his remarks. | keep, stay She tries to keep warm by sitting right next to the fire. The bread should stay warm for at least half an hour. | keep sb/sth These will keep your feet warm. | serve sth Bake for 15 minutes and serve warm with Greek yogurt. ADV. exceptionally, extremely, particularly, really, very | almost It was a mild day, almost warm. | just Add the soured cream and cook, stirring, until just warm. | faintly, pretty, quite, reasonably, relatively, slightly | enough, sufficiently Are you sure you'll be warm enough dressed like that? | beautifully, blissfully, comfortably, deliciously, pleasantly, wonderfully sliding further down into the blissfully warm bed | uncomfortably The room seemed uncomfortably warm. | surprisingly | unseasonably, unusually The night air was soft and unseasonably warm. PHRASES nice (and) warm Come and have a nice warm drink by the fire. That jacket looks nice and warm. friendly VERBS be, sound | become ADV. exceptionally, extremely, immensely, marvellously, really, very an immensely warm and friendly person | genuinely | surprisingly, verb ADV. thoroughly | gently | gradually, slowly | rapidly, soon We soon warmed up in front of the fire. | suddenly His voice suddenly warmed. | through, up Return the bowl to the heat to warm through.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with WARM, Also see COLD HANDS, WARM HEART; LOOK LIKE DEATH (WARMED OVER).
American Heritage Idioms