What does "build up" mean (sense 1)?

To gradually increase or accumulate over time. Example: "Tension had been building up between the two departments for months."

What does "build up" mean (sense 2)?

To develop or establish something, such as a business or reputation, over a period of time. Example: "She spent ten years building up a loyal customer base before opening a second location."

What does "build up" mean (sense 3)?

To make someone feel more confident or positive by praising or encouraging them. Example: "A good coach knows how to build players up rather than tear them down."

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build up

B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive

To gradually increase, accumulate, or strengthen something over time.

In plain English

To slowly make something bigger, stronger, or more important.

What does "build up" mean?

4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

very common

To gradually increase or accumulate over time.

"Tension had been building up between the two departments for months."

inseparable

2 B1 neutral

very common

To develop or establish something, such as a business or reputation, over a period of time.

"She spent ten years building up a loyal customer base before opening a second location."

separable

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To make someone feel more confident or positive by praising or encouraging them.

"A good coach knows how to build players up rather than tear them down."

separable

4 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To publicize or promote something or someone extensively in advance.

"The film had been built up by the studio for months before its release."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To construct something to a greater height — still valid in its literal sense.

Actually means

To slowly make something bigger, stronger, or more important.

Usage tip

One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English. Used in physical (traffic builds up), emotional (tension builds up), commercial (build up a business), and interpersonal (build someone up) senses. The noun 'build-up' is also very common.

Words that pair with "build up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

confidence pressure tension muscles reputation speed business

How to conjugate "build up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

build up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

builds up

he/she/it

Past simple

built up

yesterday

Past participle

built up

have + pp

-ing form

building up

continuous

Hear "build up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "build up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "build" All phrasal verbs with "up" More B1-level phrasal verbs