1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To make muscles firmer and more defined through regular exercise.
"She started swimming three times a week to tone up her arms and shoulders."
separable
tone up
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To make the body's muscles firmer and more defined through exercise, or to make something generally more strong or effective.
In plain English
To make your muscles stronger and your body look more fit.
What does "tone up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To improve the overall effectiveness or strength of a system, organisation, or plan.
"The new director promised to tone up the company's management structure."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To raise the tone of muscles upward toward a better state.
Actually means
To make your muscles stronger and your body look more fit.
Usage tip
Very common in fitness and health contexts. Usually used about the body or specific muscle groups. The intransitive use ('I've been toning up') is natural. Sometimes used figuratively to mean strengthening a system or organisation.
Words that pair with "tone up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
muscles body abs legs arms physique
How to conjugate "tone up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tone up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tones up
he/she/it
Past simple
toned up
yesterday
Past participle
toned up
have + pp
-ing form
toning up
continuous
Hear "tone up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tone 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.