1 C1 neutral
To gradually heat a liquid until it reaches a gentle simmer.
"Let the stock simmer up slowly before adding the vegetables."
inseparable
simmer up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To gradually increase in heat or intensity; used figuratively for emotions or tensions that are slowly building.
In plain English
To slowly get hotter or more intense — like when water starts to warm up before it boils.
What does "simmer up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
Of emotions or tensions, to gradually build or intensify.
"A feeling of resentment had been simmering up inside her for months."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To heat upward toward a simmer — the visual of temperature rising in a pot.
Actually means
To slowly get hotter or more intense — like when water starts to warm up before it boils.
Usage tip
Much rarer than 'simmer down'. Mainly used in literary or descriptive writing. In culinary contexts, refers to bringing a liquid to a gentle simmer. Figuratively, it describes slowly building emotions or tensions, but this figurative sense is uncommon.
Words that pair with "simmer up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
anger resentment soup sauce tension conflict
How to conjugate "simmer up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
simmer up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
simmers up
he/she/it
Past simple
simmered up
yesterday
Past participle
simmered up
have + pp
-ing form
simmering up
continuous
Hear "simmer up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "simmer 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.