simmer up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To slowly get hotter or more intense — like when water starts to warm up before it boils.
Literal meaning: To heat upward toward a simmer — the visual of temperature rising in a pot.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To gradually heat a liquid until it reaches a gentle simmer.
"Let the stock simmer up slowly before adding the vegetables."
Grammar: inseparable
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."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
anger resentment soup sauce tension conflict
Forms
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
Understand "simmer up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "simmer up" on Looplines