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build up
verb
(tr) to construct gradually, systematically, and in stages
to increase, accumulate, or strengthen, esp by degrees
the murmur built up to a roar
(intr) to prepare for or gradually approach a climax
(tr) to improve the health or physique of (a person)
(tr, usually passive) to cover (an area) with buildings
(tr) to cause (a person, enterprise, etc) to become better known; publicize
they built several actresses up into stars
noun
progressive increase in number, size, etc
the build-up of industry
a gradual approach to a climax or critical point
the training and practice that constitutes the preparation for a particular event or competition
the team's Olympic build-up
extravagant publicity or praise, esp in the form of a campaign
military the process of attaining the required strength of forces and equipment, esp prior to an operation
Idioms and Phrases
Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area . [c. 1400]
Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race . [Early 1700s]
Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery . [Mid-1900s]
Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening , or His argument was building up to a grand climax . [c. 1930]
Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image . [c. 1930]
Example Sentences
By contrast, North Korea has defied all international sanctions to build up a formidable arsenal of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles, enough to make any potential attacker think twice.
Households burdened with student debt tend to delay or forgo homeownership and face difficulties in starting a family or building up savings.
If she's building up to a seizure he can somehow sense it and alerts us so we know what we're looking for and know if its going to develop.
This building up and breaking down of artifice forces reflection on how we use fiction to explore and bend reality while undermining the comforts of distance.
A defence source also told the BBC the commitment to build up to 12 new attack submarines would require an increase in defence spending to at least 3% of GDP.
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