warm up — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

Meaning 1 · most common

reheat food

  • warm sth up

to heat food again that has already been cooked

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

There's some curry in the fridge — just warm it up in the microwave.

Shall I warm up the leftovers from last night?

More on “reheat food”Tip
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Next meaning: prepare the body

Meaning 2

prepare the body

  • warm up sth

To do gentle exercises before a sport or activity to get your body ready and help prevent injury.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

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'.

More on “prepare the body”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Before my PE class, I always warm up to avoid getting hurt during exercise.

Tell it apart

Warm up before the match.

  • prepare your body

He warmed up to me eventually.

  • became friendlier — sense

Goes with

  • warm up + before
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Next meaning: become friendlier

Meaning 3

become friendlier

  • warm up to/towards sb/sth

To start feeling more comfortable and friendly with people, especially after being shy or quiet at first.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

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'.

More on “become friendlier”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

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.

  • became friendlier

She warmed up before the run.

  • prepared her body — sense

Goes with

  • warm up + to
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