build up

build up
build up
to increase; to develop. •

The storm clouds are building up. Better close the windows.

* * *
{v.} 1. To make out of separate pieces or layers; construct from parts. * /Johnny built up a fort out of large balls of snow./ * /Lois built up a cake of three layers./ 2. To cover over or fill up with buildings. * /The fields where Tom's father played as a boy are all built up now./ * /A driver should slow down when he comes to an area that is built up./ 3a. To increase slowly or by small amounts; grow. * /John built up a bank account by saving regularly./ * /The noise built up until Mary couldn't stand it any longer./ 3b. To make stronger or better or more effective. * /Fred exercised to build up his muscles./ * /Joanne was studying to build up her algebra./ 3c. {informal} To advertise quickly and publicize so as to make famous. * /The press agent built up the young actress./ * /The movie company spent much money building up its new picture./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Build — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Build es un motor de juego para videojuegos de disparos en primera persona creado por Ken Silverman para 3D Realms. Al igual que en Doom, el motor Build representa su mundo en una malla bidimensional, utilizando… …   Wikipedia Español

  • build — [bɪld] verb built PTandPP [bɪlt] [transitive] 1. MANUFACTURING to make or put together large things such as buildings, cars, ships, roads etc: • New offices are being built on the site. • No new ships are being built at the yard now …   Financial and business terms

  • build — vb Build, construct, erect, frame, raise, rear are comparable when they mean to form or fashion a structure or something comparable to a structure. Build strictly implies a fitting together of parts and materials to form something which may be… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • build — build; build·able; build·er; build·er up·per; build·ing; build·ing·less; un·build; re·build; up·build·er; …   English syllables

  • build-up — build ups also buildup, build up 1) N COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n A build up is a gradual increase in something. There has been a build up of troops on both sides of the border... The disease can also cause a build up of pressure in the inner ear …   English dictionary

  • build — [bild] vt. built or Archaic builded, building [ME bilden < OE byldan, to build < base of bold, a house, akin to ON bua: see BONDAGE] 1. a) to make by putting together materials, parts, etc.; construct; erect b) to order, plan, or direct the …   English World dictionary

  • build-up — n [C usually singular] 1.) an increase over a period of time build up of ▪ a heavy build up of traffic on the motorway 2.) a description of someone or something before an event in which you say they are very special or important ▪ The presenter… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Build — (b[i^]ld), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Built} (b[i^]lt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Building}. The regular imp. & p. p. {Builded} is antiquated.] [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr. bold house; cf. Icel. b[=o]l farm, abode, Dan. bol small farm, OSw. bol …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • build — [n] physical structure, form body, conformation, constitution, figure, frame, habit, habitus, physique, shape; concept 757 Ant. mind build [v1] construct structure assemble, bring about, carpenter, cast, compile, compose, contrive, engineer,… …   New thesaurus

  • Build — Build, n. Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship; a great build on a man. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • build — ► VERB (past and past part. built) 1) construct by putting parts or materials together. 2) (often build up) increase in size or intensity over time. 3) (build on) use as a basis for further progress or development. 4) (build in/into) incorporate …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”