build up meaning: definition, quotations

build up

verb

To erect; to construct.

Near-synonym: build out
The motor bogies are built up from plates and rolled sections, and have cast-steel, one-piece axleguards, with manganese liners.1956 December 23, “New Electric Trains for Mersey Lines”, in Railway Magazine, page 850:

To close up by building.

Idiomatic To accumulate: to increase incrementally or continually.

Ever since the secretary left, the letters in my inbox have started to build up.
The first English Electric units were not fitted with an anti-slip brake, but a hurried consultation of the wiring diagram showed that it should be possible to hold in the low-voltage anti-slip relay for long enough to let speed build up without cutting off the motor current.1962 April, R. K. Evans, “The Acceptance Testing of Diesel Locomotives”, in Modern Railways, page 268:

2 more examples

Their first half was marred by the entire side playing too deep, completely unable to build up any form of decent possession once the ball left their bewildered defence.2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1-0 Bolton”, in BBC:
As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels.2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:

Idiomatic To strengthen.

They had to build up their fortress to protect against attack.
"It took it out of me, though. I'm a rag this morning." "They work you too hard, dear. I'll take you to Margate and build you up." "Well, maybe at Easter we could do a week."1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

Card games, Games In solitaire card games, to place a card over another card of lower value. (e.g., place 5♦ over 4♣)