Meaning 1 · most common
reheat food
to heat food again that has already been cooked
Examples
There's some curry in the fridge — just warm it up in the microwave.
Shall I warm up the leftovers from last night?
One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.
Meaning 1 · most common
to heat food again that has already been cooked
Examples
There's some curry in the fridge — just warm it up in the microwave.
Shall I warm up the leftovers from last night?
Meaning 2
To do gentle exercises before a sport or activity to get your body ready and help prevent injury.
Examples
It's important to warm up before you go for a run.
A: Are you ready to play football?
B: Give me a minute to warm up first.
Common mistake
Not: I always warm up myself before running.
Say: I always warm up before running.
Intransitive here — don't add 'myself'.
Another example
Before my PE class, I always warm up to avoid getting hurt during exercise.
Tell it apart
Warm up before the match.
He warmed up to me eventually.
Goes with
Meaning 3
To start feeling more comfortable and friendly with people, especially after being shy or quiet at first.
Examples
It took a while, but she finally warmed up to her new classmates.
A: Was your brother shy at the party?
B: At first, yes, but he warmed up after a while.
Common mistake
Not: He warmed up with us after a while.
Say: He warmed up to us after a while.
'Warm up TO' people (or just 'warm to') — not 'with'.
Another example
When I meet new people, I usually need some time to warm up before I feel comfortable talking.
Tell it apart
She warmed up to the new team.
She warmed up before the run.
Goes with
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