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limber up

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

To do stretching exercises to get your body ready to move, or to get ready for something difficult.

Literal meaning: To make the body limber (flexible and supple) upward through movement.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To do stretching and warm-up exercises to prepare the muscles and joints for physical activity.

"The gymnasts limbered up for thirty minutes before competing."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To prepare mentally or practically for a challenging task or performance.

"The debaters limbered up with a few practice rounds before the final competition."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in sports and exercise contexts. The figurative sense (preparing mentally or professionally) is also well established. Can be transitive ('limber up your fingers') or intransitive ('limber up before the race'). Used across all varieties of English.

Commonly used with

muscles fingers legs routine exercise practice race

Forms

Base
limber up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
limbers up
he/she/it
Past simple
limbered up
yesterday
Past participle
limbered up
have + pp
-ing form
limbering up
continuous

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Synonyms

warm up stretch loosen up flex prepare get ready

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