warm-up
/ˈwȯrm-ˌəp/ (ame, mw)
warm-up — noun
1. a short session of light exercise or practice done before a sport, performance,
a short session of light exercise or practice done before a sport, performance, or other physical activity to get your body and mind ready
The track team did a 15-minute warm-up before the meet.
collocation: do a warm-up
Coach Kim led the players through warm-up stretches on the field.
warm-up as adjective modifying a noun
Amara always spends ten minutes on a vocal warm-up before her concerts.
A proper warm-up can help prevent muscle injuries during exercise.
The referee gave the players five minutes for a warm-up before the second half.
- preparation
more general; warm-up is a specific kind of preparation
- practice
practice can be the main activity; a warm-up is what comes before it
- limbering up
informal and primarily physical, especially for the body
- cooldown
gentle exercise done after a physical activity to help the body relax
文法句型
do a warm-up
warm-up + noun (warm-up exercises)
用法筆記
Usually singular. When used before another noun (warm-up exercises, warm-up routine), it describes the type or purpose of that noun.
常見錯誤
warm-up — verb
- warm-uppresent simple I / you / we / they
- warm-ups3rd person singular
- warm-uping-ing form
- warm-upedpast simple
1. to do light exercise before taking part in a competitive sport, race, or game, s
to do light exercise before taking part in a competitive sport, race, or game, so that your muscles are ready and you avoid injury
The tennis players warmed up by hitting balls across the net for ten minutes.
warm up by + gerund
Diego warmed up for the race with some light jogging and dynamic stretches.
warm up for + noun phrase
Soo-jin warmed up her leg muscles before the gymnastics competition.
The basketball players warmed up on the court before the game started.
Before each swim meet, Jack warms up with some gentle arm circles in the water.
- cool down
gentle exercise after the main activity to help the body recover
文法句型
warm up
warm up + for + noun
warm up + by + gerund
warm up + noun phrase
用法筆記
This verb sense specifically refers to preparing for competitive sports, races, and games where you face opponents or a timed challenge. For general exercise warm-ups or preparation for artistic performances (singing, dancing, playing an instrument), use the phrasal verb 'warm up' (PV sense 1) instead.
常見錯誤
warm-up — phrasal verb
- warm-upbase form
- warm-ups3rd person singular
- warm-uping-ing form
- warm-upedpast simple
1. to get your body, voice, or mind ready for exercise, a workout, or an artistic p
to get your body, voice, or mind ready for exercise, a workout, or an artistic performance — such as singing, dancing, or playing an instrument — by doing gentle preparatory movements or exercises
The choir warmed up their voices by singing scales for fifteen minutes.
transitive use: warm up + voice/body part
Yuki warmed up backstage for twenty minutes before the show began.
intransitive: warm up + time duration
The dancers warmed up at the barre before the afternoon rehearsal.
Pianists often warm up by playing scales and arpeggios before a concert.
文法句型
warm up
warm up + noun phrase
warm + noun + up
warm up + for + noun
warm up + by + gerund
用法筆記
Covers preparation for exercise sessions, workouts, and artistic performances — not limited to competitive contexts. For competition-specific warm-ups (sports matches, races), use the verb sense 'warm up' instead. When separable, the object can go between 'warm' and 'up' (warm your voice up).
常見錯誤
2. to operate an engine or machine briefly before regular use so it reaches the rig
to operate an engine or machine briefly before regular use so it reaches the right temperature and runs without problems
Kwame let his truck warm up for a few minutes on that freezing winter morning.
intransitive: of a vehicle engine
The small plane's engine needs several minutes to warm up before takeoff.
Nadia waited for the office printer to warm up before printing the documents.
The bus driver starts the engine early to warm it up before the first route.
- warm
simpler, but less specific to engines; 'warm up' is the standard term for engines
文法句型
warm up
warm up + noun phrase
warm + noun + up
let + noun + warm up
用法筆記
Also used for electronic devices (printers, computers) that need a brief startup period. Not used for electric engines in the same way — they do not need to 'warm up' in the traditional sense.
常見錯誤
3. to grow more energetic, excited, or friendly, or to make a gathering, discussion
to grow more energetic, excited, or friendly, or to make a gathering, discussion, or group of people feel more engaged and animated
The party did not really warm up until Tom arrived with the playlist.
Elena warmed up to the idea of living abroad after visiting her sister in Tokyo.
warm up to + idea/concept
The audience quickly warmed up to the comedian after his first few jokes landed well.
A few games at the start of the meeting helped warm everyone up.
文法句型
warm up
warm up + to + noun
warm + noun + up
warm up + noun phrase
用法筆記
When followed by 'to,' it means gradually becoming receptive or enthusiastic about something (an idea, place) or someone (a person). When used transitively, it means making an event more lively or a person more comfortable.
常見錯誤
4. to heat food that has already been cooked, so that it can be eaten again, especi
to heat food that has already been cooked, so that it can be eaten again, especially leftovers from a previous meal
Anika warmed up the leftover pasta from last night for a quick lunch.
Sophie warmed the soup up while the children set the table for dinner.
separable: warm + noun + up
The microwave is the fastest way to warm up yesterday's rice and stir-fry.
Wei warmed up leftover dumplings in a pan with oil until they turned crispy again.
- cool down
letting hot food reach a lower temperature before eating
文法句型
warm up + noun phrase
warm + noun + up
用法筆記
More common in British English. In American English, 'heat up' is also very common. This sense specifically refers to previously cooked food, not raw ingredients that need cooking.