muscle up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To build bigger muscles, or to get strong enough to do something hard.
Literal meaning: To build up one's muscles — largely transparent.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
To increase muscle mass through physical training.
"He spent six months muscling up in the gym before the bodybuilding competition."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To gather strength, courage, or resources in preparation for a difficult task.
"The small nation had to muscle up diplomatically to resist the pressure."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used in fitness contexts to mean building muscle. Also used figuratively to mean summoning strength or determination for a challenge. More common in American English than British.
Commonly used with
gym training strength challenge competition arms
Forms
Base
muscle up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
muscles up
he/she/it
Past simple
muscled up
yesterday
Past participle
muscled up
have + pp
-ing form
muscling up
continuous
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Synonyms
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