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spool up

C1 neutral separable both
In simple words

When a jet engine or machine speeds up to full power; or to wind something onto a reel

Literal meaning: To wind something upward onto a spool, or to accelerate like a spool winding — partially transparent

Meanings

1 C1 neutral

Of a jet engine or turbine, to increase rotational speed to reach full operating power

"The pilot waited for all four engines to fully spool up before requesting clearance for takeoff."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To wind cable, thread, or tape onto a spool

"He spooled up the fishing line neatly before storing the rod."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic informal

Informally, to prepare or get ready for something demanding

"The team needs a few days to spool up before tackling that project."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily technical aviation and engineering vocabulary. Commonly heard in cockpit communications and aerospace contexts. Also used in computing to describe initializing a system. The opposite is 'spool down.' Informally, 'spool up' is sometimes used metaphorically to mean getting ready or motivated.

Commonly used with

engine turbine jet system process reactor

Forms

Base
spool up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spools up
he/she/it
Past simple
spooled up
yesterday
Past participle
spooled up
have + pp
-ing form
spooling up
continuous

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Synonyms

rev up spin up power up accelerate build up speed initialize

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