1 B2 informal
To develop greater physical strength, especially through exercise and training.
"You need to strengthen up your core muscles to prevent back injuries."
separable
strengthen up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To become stronger or to make something stronger, especially through training or reinforcement.
In plain English
To get stronger or to make something stronger.
What does "strengthen up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To make a structure, system, or organization more robust and resilient.
"The government needs to strengthen up its border security procedures."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To strengthen to a higher level — 'up' intensifies the base verb.
Actually means
To get stronger or to make something stronger.
Usage tip
Less common than 'strengthen' alone. The 'up' adds a sense of improvement to full capacity. More common in fitness and coaching contexts. Slightly informal.
Words that pair with "strengthen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
muscles core defenses position structure team
How to conjugate "strengthen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
strengthen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strengthens up
he/she/it
Past simple
strengthened up
yesterday
Past participle
strengthened up
have + pp
-ing form
strengthening up
continuous
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