warm up
Related to warm up: cool down
warm up
1. verb To become warmer in temperature. You can put your coat away because the weatherman says it's going to warm up this week. I'm just waiting for the water to warm up before I get in the shower.
2. verb To cause something to become warmer in temperature. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "warm" and "up." I'll warm up my lunch when you're done with the microwave. My husband is so sweet—he always warms my car up for me on cold winter mornings.
3. verb Of a machine, to become fully functional. You should just come back later—it takes a while for the scanner to warm up.
4. verb To prepare for something, such as a game or performance, typically by engaging the muscles or skills required. A noun or pronoun can be used between "warm" and "up." You're going to hurt yourself if you don't warm up before the game. I need to warm my vocal chords up before my song in the talent show. I like to warm up for the spelling bee by reciting my favorite words.
5. verb To help someone else prepare for a game or sport by stretching the muscles. A noun or pronoun can be used between "warm" and "up." Can you warm up the kids before the game starts?
6. verb To slowly begin to like someone or something. I'm not aloof, it just takes me a while to warm up to new people.
7. verb To liven up an audience in preparation for the main act. A noun or pronoun can be used between "warm" and "up." I usually tour with a comedian who goes out first and warms the audience up for me.
8. verb To intensify. The competition will warm up as we get closer to the playoffs.
9. verb To cause someone to feel happy. A noun or pronoun can be used between "warm" and "up." It really warms me up to see my students doing well.
10. noun The act of preparing for something, such as a game or performance, typically by engaging the muscles or skills required. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. She didn't play in the game because she hurt her ankle in warm-up.
11. noun The exercises that allow one to prepare for something, such as a game or performance. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated, and can be made plural. I need to do my vocal warm-ups before I take the stage.
12. noun A performer who is supposed to liven up an audience in preparation for the main act. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Wow, the warm-up is my favorite band! I wonder who the headliner is.
13. noun A garment or set of garments intended to keep one's muscles warm before or after competing in a sports game. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated and made plural. Most players put their warm-ups on immediately when they come out of the game so that their muscles don't get cold.
See also: up, warm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
warm someone or something up
to make someone or something warmer; to take the chill off someone or something. I put him by the fire to warm him up a little. We warmed up our feet before the fire. Could you warm up my coffee, please?
See also: up, warm
warm someone up
1. to make someone warmer. Stand by the fire and warm yourself up. Warm up the kids and then give them some cookies.
2. Fig. to help someone get physically prepared to perform in an athletic event. (As if exercising or loosening up someone's muscles.) The referee told the coach to warm his team up so the game could begin. You have to warm up the team before a game. Be sure to warm yourself up before playing.
3. Fig. to prepare an audience for another—more famous—performer. (Fig. on {2}.) A singer came out to warm us up for the main attraction. This comedian is a superb choice to warm up the audience.
See also: up, warm
warm up
1. [for the weather or a person] to become warmer or hotter. I think it is going to warm up next week.
2. Fig.[for someone] to become more friendly. (A warm person is a friendly person.) Todd began to warm up halfway through the conference. After he had worked therefor a while, he began to warm up.
3. and warm up for something Fig. to prepare for some kind of performance or competition. The team had to warm up before the game. They have to warm up.
See also: up, warm
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
warm up
1. Prepare for exercise or an athletic event by stretching or practicing beforehand, as in It's important to warm up before you play any sport. The idiom is also applied to musicians getting ready to perform. [Late 1800s]
2. Make enthusiastic, excited, or animated, as in He was good at warming up an audience for the main speaker. [Mid-1800s]
3. Also, warm up to. Become friendlier or more receptive toward, as in I had a hard time warming up to my mother-in-law. [Early 1800s]
4. Reach a temperature high enough to work efficiently, as in I'll go out and warm up the car. [Mid-1900s]
5. Reheat food, as in If we warm up the leftovers, we'll have enough for everyone. [Mid-1800s]
6. Approach a state of violence or confrontation, as in Racial tension was rapidly warming up. Also see heat up.
See also: up, warm
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
warm up
v.
1. To reach a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat; warm completely: I finally warmed up by sitting next to the fire.
2. To bring something or someone to a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat; warm something or someone completely: The furnace warmed up the house. The fire warmed me up.
3. To reheat some food: Can I warm up your coffee for you? I'll just warm these leftovers up when I get home.
4. To prepare for an athletic event by exercising, stretching, or practicing for a short time beforehand: We warmed up for 15 minutes before starting the match. We warmed up with a few short rallies.
5. To make someone or something ready for an event or operation: I'll go out and warm up the car so that it won't stall. The conductor warmed the orchestra up before the concert.
6. To become ready for an event or operation: How long does it take the printer to warm up? The musicians warmed up before the concert.
7. To become enthusiastic, excited, or lively: The bar doesn't warm up until about 11:00. I warmed up to the subject after I switched teachers.
8. To make someone or something enthusiastic, excited, or lively: The emcee warmed up the crowd before the band came out. It took a bit of persuading, but we finally warmed them up to the idea.
9. To become kindly disposed or friendly: The group warmed up once the business was out of the way. I didn't warm up to them until we had gone out a few times.
10. To fill someone with pleasant emotions: It warms me up to know that you are on my side.
See also: up, warm
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- heat up
- going to
- answer to
- break out
- cross over
- face off
- face-off
- barf
- barfola
- bagged