warm up
/wɔːrm ʌp/To prepare for physical activity by doing light exercises
She warmed up with some stretching before her yoga class.
She did stretching exercises to prepare her body.
Common in sports and fitness contexts.
To make something more lively or active
The band warmed up the crowd with a few songs.
They played some songs to get the audience excited.
Used metaphorically for increasing energy or enthusiasm.
To gradually increase temperature
The engineer warmed up the engine before starting the test.
He gradually increased the engine's temperature.
Used in mechanical and technical contexts.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative
Note that 'warm up' can mean both physical preparation and metaphorical activation of energy.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning depends heavily on the context—sports, music, or mechanical.
📖Word Origin
From 'warm' (to make or become warm) + 'up' (directional particle).
📝Usage Notes
Commonly used in sports, music, and mechanical contexts. The phrasal verb 'warm up to' has a distinct meaning of becoming more friendly.