buffer up
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To add extra protection or space around something so it doesn't get damaged.
Literal meaning: To increase a buffer (protective layer) by building it up.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To increase reserves, capacity, or protection around something to guard against problems.
"You should buffer up your savings before making such a large investment."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral
In computing, to increase memory allocated for buffering data to prevent delays or interruptions.
"The engineer buffered up the system's audio pipeline to prevent dropouts during recording."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used in technical, financial, and IT contexts. In computing, refers to adding more buffer memory. In finance, refers to increasing reserves. Also used more casually.
Commonly used with
reserves memory system protection margin savings
Forms
Base
buffer up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buffers up
he/she/it
Past simple
buffered up
yesterday
Past participle
buffered up
have + pp
-ing form
buffering up
continuous
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Synonyms
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