In 15 Seconds
- Gradually building a feeling or physical state through effort.
- Commonly used for hunger, sweat, courage, or excitement.
- Implies the state was earned through activity or time.
Meaning
To gradually develop or build up a feeling, state, or physical condition over time through effort or activity.
Key Examples
3 of 6After a long hike
I really worked up an appetite after that five-mile hike!
I really built up a hunger after that five-mile hike!
Preparing for a difficult talk
It took me all morning to work up the courage to call him.
It took me all morning to build the courage to call him.
In a business meeting
We need to work up some enthusiasm for the new marketing campaign.
We need to generate some enthusiasm for the new marketing campaign.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Protestant work ethic prevalent in English-speaking cultures, where physical effort is seen as a prerequisite for enjoyment. It gained massive popularity in the mid-20th century alongside the rise of organized fitness and gym culture.
The 'Nerve' Connection
If you are scared to do something, tell a friend: 'I'm trying to work up the nerve.' It sounds very natural and relatable.
Don't overwork it
Avoid using 'work up' for negative habits. You don't 'work up a smoking habit'; you 'develop' one.
In 15 Seconds
- Gradually building a feeling or physical state through effort.
- Commonly used for hunger, sweat, courage, or excitement.
- Implies the state was earned through activity or time.
What It Means
Work up is all about the slow build. It describes the process of starting from zero and reaching a specific level of intensity. Think of it like a volume knob on a radio. You aren't just 'at' a state; you traveled to get there. It is most commonly used for physical sensations like hunger or sweat. It also applies to emotions like courage or excitement. You don't just have an appetite; you work up an appetite by hiking all morning.
How To Use It
This phrase is a phrasal verb. You can put the object in the middle or at the end. You can say work up a sweat or work a sweat up. Usually, we keep the object at the end for better flow. Use it when you want to emphasize the effort involved. It implies that the result didn't happen by accident. You were active, and this state is the natural result of that activity.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about fitness or food. It is perfect for the gym or a long walk. Use it when you need to do something scary. You might need to work up the nerve to ask for a raise. It works well in professional settings when discussing enthusiasm for a project. It is great for texting friends after a long day of chores.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for sudden, instant feelings. If you are suddenly scared by a loud noise, you didn't work up that fear. It happened instantly. Also, avoid using it for purely negative, destructive things. You wouldn't usually work up a broken leg or a car accident. It implies a process of internal building, not external damage. Don't use it in very stiff, legal documents.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, there is a strong link between 'earning' your rewards. We love the idea that a meal tastes better if you work up an appetite first. It reflects a 'work hard, play hard' mentality. The phrase has been around for centuries. It originally referred to physical labor building heat in the body. Now, it is a staple of everyday English conversation.
Common Variations
Work yourself up is a common variation. This usually means getting yourself unnecessarily stressed or angry. If you are pacing the room worrying, you are working yourself up. Another variation is work up to. This means practicing to reach a difficult goal. You might work up to running a full marathon by starting with short jogs.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for most contexts. Be careful with the reflexive form 'work yourself up,' as it almost always carries a negative connotation of being overly stressed.
The 'Nerve' Connection
If you are scared to do something, tell a friend: 'I'm trying to work up the nerve.' It sounds very natural and relatable.
Don't overwork it
Avoid using 'work up' for negative habits. You don't 'work up a smoking habit'; you 'develop' one.
The Appetite Secret
In the UK and US, it's polite to say you've 'worked up an appetite' before a big meal. It tells the host you are excited to eat their food!
Examples
6I really worked up an appetite after that five-mile hike!
I really built up a hunger after that five-mile hike!
Focuses on the physical result of exercise.
It took me all morning to work up the courage to call him.
It took me all morning to build the courage to call him.
Refers to internal emotional preparation.
We need to work up some enthusiasm for the new marketing campaign.
We need to generate some enthusiasm for the new marketing campaign.
Used to describe building collective energy.
I barely worked up a sweat during that yoga class.
I barely broke a sweat during that yoga class.
A very common collocation for physical exertion.
Don't work yourself up over the exam; you'll be fine!
Don't get yourself all stressed out over the exam; you'll be fine!
Reflexive use meaning to become unnecessarily anxious.
I worked up a sweat just thinking about going to the gym.
I got tired just thinking about going to the gym.
Uses irony to show laziness.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the phrase.
I need to ___ up the nerve to ask for a promotion.
`Work up the nerve` is a fixed expression for building courage.
Complete the sentence based on the context of physical activity.
After gardening all day, I've worked ___ a huge appetite.
`Work up an appetite` is the standard way to say you became hungry through activity.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Work Up'
Too structured for street slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Worked up a sweat!
Safe for office and general use.
Work up an appetite.
Slightly too casual for legal text.
N/A
When to say 'Work Up'
Physical Exercise
Work up a sweat
Hunger/Thirst
Work up an appetite
Bravery
Work up the nerve
Anxiety
Work yourself up
Practice Bank
2 exercisesI need to ___ up the nerve to ask for a promotion.
`Work up the nerve` is a fixed expression for building courage.
After gardening all day, I've worked ___ a huge appetite.
`Work up an appetite` is the standard way to say you became hungry through activity.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt means to gradually develop a feeling or physical state through effort. For example, work up a sweat means you started exercising and slowly began to sweat.
Yes, especially for courage or excitement. You can work up the courage to do something difficult.
No. Work out is the exercise itself, while work up is the result of that exercise, like work up a sweat.
This usually means making yourself upset or anxious by thinking too much about a problem. Example: Don't work yourself up over the news.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without any issues.
Yes! In a professional context, work up a proposal means to prepare or develop a document with effort.
The most common collocations are work up an appetite and work up a sweat.
Yes, you can work yourself up into a rage. It implies the anger grew slowly over time.
Work up to means preparing for a goal, like working up to a marathon. Work up alone usually refers to the state you achieve.
No, that doesn't make sense. You can only work up feelings, physical states, or sometimes documents/plans.
Related Phrases
build up
To increase something over time (similar but more general).
get worked up
To become very angry or excited.
muster up
To gather specifically courage or support.
drum up
To try to increase interest or support for something.
