tone up

tone up

1. To become leaner, tighter, and more muscular. I really want to tone up before my wedding this August.
2. To cause someone or some body part to become leaner, tighter, and more muscular. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "tone" and "up." Our program promises to tone you up in just six weeks. Cycling to work each morning has gone a long way toward toning up my legs.
See also: tone, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tone someone or something up

to make someone or something stronger or more fit, muscularly. I suggested an exercise that would tone him up and make him feel better. The exercises toned up his tummy muscles. I need to get busy and tone myself up.
See also: tone, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

tone up

v.
1. To make something firmer or stronger: Walking to work has toned up my legs. I toned my stomach up by doing sit-ups every day.
2. To become firmer or stronger: My body has really toned up since I started this exercise program.
See also: tone, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • addict
  • addict (one) to (something)
  • addict to
  • get (one's) back up
  • get back up
  • get someone's back up
  • get/put somebody's back up
  • have (one's) back up
  • have back up
  • Irish
References in periodicals archive
There are ways to customize a workout routine if you're looking to tone up areas that may be highlighted in your particular style of wedding gown, whether you are aiming to maintain, lose or gain weight.
Getting married? Here's the perfect workout for the dress
IT'S A good idea to do exercises that target a number of different areas at the same time so anything that works your chest, arms and shoulders is good to tone up the bust.
In the gym, she'd recommend the rowing machine to tone up tums as well as lots of sit-ups - 'lots of peole hate them but they really do work.
Look: How to get a bikini body in just 6 weeks; Susan Lee talks to a personal trainer about achieving a body beautiful in time for your holidays
"If your aim is to tone up your arms, it is likely that you need to actually focus on losing fat as it is excess fat that gives arms the saggy, 'bingo wings' appearance," says Rachael.
"Cardiovascular, fat-burning exercise combined with a balanced diet that is rich in lean protein with plenty of vitamins and minerals but low in saturated fats is key." Exercise such as running, swimming, aerobics etc are all great ways to burn off excess calories and in turn tone up the whole body.
10 ways to... banish your bingo wings; 10 NEWS ONLINE: www.gazettelive.co.uk MOBILE: m.gazettelive.co.uk Family Life
With Lize's top tips you should see your body begin to tone up within a month.
HOW TO FEEL GLAD ALL OVER!
1 The York Speed and Agility Set, pounds 49.99: "This is good for speed and fitness, it helps you develop strength in your legs and helps you tone up."
5 essential steps
Try these heart press-ups, which will help you tone up your upper arms and give definition to chest muscles.
Press on with your exercise; GO FOR IT: Personal TRAINER With John Castellain
QI MANAGED to tone up my arms on a rowing machine but my new job means I haven't got time to go to the gym.
Health Zone: What's up doc?
"Weight Watchers: 10-Minute Belly, Butt & Thigh Tone Ups" ($14.98, 66 min.) is an anthology of six ten-minute workouts ideal for targeting specific areas of the body.
Anchor Bay Entertainment