warm up
Britishverb
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to make or become warm or warmer
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(intr) to exercise in preparation for and immediately before a game, contest, or more vigorous exercise
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to get ready for something important; prepare
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to run or operate (an engine, etc) until the normal working temperature or condition is attained, or (of an engine, etc) to undergo this process
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to make or become more animated or enthusiastic
the party warmed up when Tom came
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to reheat (already cooked food) or (of such food) to be reheated
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(tr) to make (an audience) relaxed and receptive before a show, esp a television comedy show
noun
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the act or an instance of warming up
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a preparatory exercise routine
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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]
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Make enthusiastic, excited, or animated, as in He was good at warming up an audience for the main speaker . [Mid-1800s]
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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]
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Reach a temperature high enough to work efficiently, as in I'll go out and warm up the car . [Mid-1900s]
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Reheat food, as in If we warm up the leftovers, we'll have enough for everyone . [Mid-1800s]
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Approach a state of violence or confrontation, as in Racial tension was rapidly warming up . Also see heat up .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And then you come out to warm up and you think, 'we're basically playing a home fixture'.
From BBC
Arsenal have got to be careful they don't warm up in the Chelsea half again, for starters.
From BBC
Slurry encourages the grass to grow as the days get longer and the ground warms up.
From BBC
Swansea and Preston's players were still warming up when Snoop emerged to an explosion of noise and colour.
From BBC
If I go someplace to eat for lunch, I usually have leftovers to warm up.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
