build up — 4 meanings

One phrase, 4 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb4 meanings

build up

1increase gradually 2develop strength or confidence 3praise or promote 4create suspense

Meaning 1 · most common

increase gradually

build up sth

To make something become larger or greater over time, often slowly.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

If you save a little money each month, your savings will build up over time.

A: Why is there so much traffic today?
B: It tends to build up around 5 p.m. when everyone leaves work.

Common mistake

Not: Pressure builds up slowly over ~~the~~ time.

Say: Pressure builds up slowly over time.

'Over time' — no 'the'.

More on “increase gradually”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the exam period, stress can build up if you don't take breaks.

Tell it apart

It builds up gradually.

slow, steady increase

It shoots up suddenly.

sharp, abrupt rise

Goes with

build up + over time

Practice saying this

Next meaning: develop strength or confidence

Meaning 2

develop strength or confidence

build up sth

To gradually make someone or something stronger, healthier, or more confident.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Regular exercise can help you build up your strength after an illness.

A: I'm nervous about the presentation.
B: Don't worry, each time you practice, you'll build up your confidence.

Common mistake

Not: I'm trying to build up my ~~confident.~~

Say: I'm trying to build up my confidence.

It's the noun 'confidence', not the adjective 'confident'.

More on “develop strength or confidence”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Joining group discussions is a good way to build up your speaking skills in English.

Tell it apart

build up your confidence

develop it gradually

knock your confidence

damage it

Goes with

build up + strength/confidence

Practice saying this

Next meaning: praise or promote

Meaning 3

praise or promote

build sb/sth up
informal

To talk about someone or something in a very positive way to make them seem important or impressive.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The manager really built up the new project in the meeting.

A: Everyone says Tom is amazing at his job.
B: Yeah, his boss really builds him up.

Common mistake

Not: They built up it too much.

Say: They built it up too much.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'build it up'.

More on “praise or promote”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, companies build up their products to attract more customers.

Tell it apart

They built it up.

hyped it / praised it in advance

They played it down.

downplayed it, made it seem less

Goes with

build up + hype

Practice saying this

Next meaning: create suspense

Meaning 4

create suspense

build up sth

To gradually increase tension, anticipation, or excitement, especially in a story, conversation, or event, so that people are eager to see what happens next.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The director skillfully built up suspense throughout the film, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

A: Did you enjoy the novel?
B: Absolutely. The way the author built up the tension before the final reveal was brilliant.

Common mistake

Not: The story builds up a suspense.

Say: The story builds up the suspense. / builds suspense.

Usually 'build up the tension/suspense' — no 'a'.

More on “create suspense”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In effective presentations, speakers often build up anticipation before delivering their main point, which helps to engage the audience.

Tell it apart

It builds up the tension.

creates suspense, makes you wait

It releases the tension.

lets it all out

Goes with

build up + tension

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

increase gradually develop strength or confidence praise or promote create suspense