build-up
build-up — noun
1. a larger amount of something that has slowly grown over time
a larger amount of something that has slowly grown over time
A build-up of ice blocked the freezer door by Monday morning.
collocation: a build-up of + material
Doctors found a build-up of fluid behind Omar's knee after the fall.
Weeks of silence created a build-up of tension in the office.
The sink smelled bad because grease build-up had narrowed the pipe.
- accumulation
more formal and often used in writing
- increase
broader; does not always suggest a slow process
- growth
often used for living things, business, or numbers
文法句型
a build-up of + pressure/ice/tension/material
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' and a noun naming what has collected, such as ice, pressure, or tension.
2. the publicity and excited talk that make people eager for a person, product, or
the publicity and excited talk that make people eager for a person, product, or event before they experience it
Online build-up around the drama made tickets sell out in an hour.
build-up around + event
Local food blogs created so much build-up that the new cafe filled on opening day.
Months of build-up turned the singer's comeback show into a major event.
The company tried to create build-up for its app with short teaser videos.
- silence
no public attention or discussion
- indifference
lack of excitement from the public
文法句型
build-up around/for + person, event, or product
用法筆記
This sense usually refers to attention created before a launch, performance, or public appearance, not reactions after people have already seen it.
常見錯誤
3. the lead-in time before an important event, when people prepare and wait for it
the lead-in time before an important event, when people prepare and wait for it to begin
The build-up to the election filled the town with posters and debates.
pattern: the build-up to + event
During the build-up to the wedding, Beatrix checked every table plan twice.
Fans loved the build-up before the final, especially the team parade.
The build-up to launch day kept the whole design team busy.
- lead-up
very close in meaning and often interchangeable
- preparation
focuses more on practical work than on public atmosphere
- run-up
common in British English for the period before an event
- aftermath
the period after an important event
文法句型
the build-up to + event
the build-up before + event
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'to' and the name of an event such as an election, final, launch, or wedding.
build-up — phrasal verb
1. to grow larger, stronger, or more intense over time
to grow larger, stronger, or more intense over time
Dark clouds built up over the coast by late afternoon.
intransitive: change happens by itself
Traffic built up outside the stadium after the concert ended.
As the speech continued, hope built up among the workers.
Small debts built up during Mia's first month in the city.
文法句型
build up
build up over time
用法筆記
This sense describes change happening by itself. The subject is often a feeling, amount, line of cars, or pressure.
2. to praise or promote someone or something so strongly that expectations rise ver
to praise or promote someone or something so strongly that expectations rise very high
Critics built up the young actor before most people saw the film.
build up + person before release
The ad campaign built the phone up as the answer to every problem.
Liang kept building the restaurant up, so we expected something perfect.
Sports radio built the rookie up all week before his first game.
文法句型
build up + person/thing
build + person/thing + up
用法筆記
Often suggests that the praise may be exaggerated, especially when it happens before people can judge the person or thing for themselves.
常見錯誤
3. to make a person or body stronger and healthier, especially after illness or wea
to make a person or body stronger and healthier, especially after illness or weakness
The trainer built the runner up with short walks and light weights.
build + person + up
Hot soup helped build Elena up after her stomach virus.
The rehab plan built the cyclist up slowly after surgery.
Three weeks at home built the puppy up before the long trip.
- strengthen
most direct neutral choice
- restore
focuses on bringing someone back after weakness
- fortify
more formal and often about health or energy
文法句型
build up + person/animal
build + person/animal + up
用法筆記
Usually takes a person or animal as the object and often appears with food, rest, exercise, or treatment.
4. to create or expand something step by step until it becomes solid or successful
to create or expand something step by step until it becomes solid or successful
Ife built up a small baking business from her apartment kitchen.
build up + business
The school built up trust with parents through weekly meetings.
Over ten years, Imran built up a network of helpful clients.
The village library built up its collection through book donations.
文法句型
build up + business/trust/reputation/collection
用法筆記
The object is usually something that takes time to grow, such as a business, trust, experience, or a collection.
5. to add material until something becomes higher, thicker, or stronger than before
to add material until something becomes higher, thicker, or stronger than before
Workers built up the riverbank with sandbags before the storm arrived.
build up + structure + with + material
The chef built the cake up with three thin layers of cream.
Farmers built up the soil with compost after the dry season.
The mason built the old wall up again with fresh stone.
文法句型
build up + wall/bank/soil
build + object + up + with + material
用法筆記
Often used for walls, riverbanks, soil, and other physical things that become stronger through extra material.
build-up — verb
1. to make something increase little by little, often through repeated additions or
to make something increase little by little, often through repeated additions or stages
The coach built up the training load gradually before the tournament.
build up + amount over stages
Engineers built up pressure in the pipe during the safety test.
The charity built up supplies in the hall before the storm.
Repeated practice built up the student's speed on the piano.
文法句型
build up + load/pressure/supplies/speed
用法筆記
The object is something that can rise in amount or strength, often because more is added over time or because effort is repeated.
2. to gather or grow steadily until there is a noticeable amount
to gather or grow steadily until there is a noticeable amount
Dust built up under the sofa while the family was away.
build up under/in/on + place
Anger built up in Eli after months of unfair shifts.
Cars built up at the bridge after the lane closed.
Interest built up on the loan while David missed payments.
- accumulate
formal and very close in meaning
- gather
common for crowds, speed, or strength
- mount
often used for problems or pressure
- clear
to remove what has collected
- drain away
used when a liquid or amount gradually disappears
文法句型
build up in/on/under + place
build up at + location
用法筆記
The subject is usually something that collects by itself, such as dust, traffic, anger, or interest.
3. to improve someone's strength, confidence, or reputation by giving support, time
to improve someone's strength, confidence, or reputation by giving support, time, or practice
Daily swimming built up Anthony's shoulder after the injury.
build up + body part through practice
The mentor's advice built up the intern's confidence at work.
Years of fair service built up the mayor's reputation in town.
Protein shakes built up the calves of the young dancer.
- strengthen
direct and neutral
- bolster
often used for confidence, support, or reputation
- improve
broader and less focused on gradual support
文法句型
build up + confidence/reputation/muscle
build up + person/body part
用法筆記
Often takes a person or quality as the object, and the cause is usually support, practice, food, or time.