bulk up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To exercise and eat a lot to get bigger and more muscular.
Literal meaning: To make oneself bulkier or bigger.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To gain muscle mass and body weight by training and eating more.
"The actor bulked up significantly for his role as a professional wrestler."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To increase the size, strength, or quantity of something (figurative).
"The company decided to bulk up its IT department ahead of the product launch."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in fitness and bodybuilding contexts. Can also be used figuratively to mean increasing the size or strength of something. The figurative sense is less common than 'beef up' in that role.
Commonly used with
gym muscles protein diet fast season
Forms
Base
bulk up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bulks up
he/she/it
Past simple
bulked up
yesterday
Past participle
bulked up
have + pp
-ing form
bulking up
continuous
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