1.
If you warm something up or if it warms up, it gets hotter.
He blew on his hands to warm them up...
All that she would have to do was ~ the pudding...
The weather had warmed up.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
2.
If you ~ for an event such as a race, you prepare yourself for it by doing exercises or by practising just before it starts.
In an hour the drivers will be warming up for the main event...
PHRASAL VERB: V P
see also warm-up
3.
When a machine or engine warms up or someone warms it up, it becomes ready for use a little while after being switched on or started.
He waited for his car to ~...
We spent a frustrating five minutes while the pilot warmed up the engines.
PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
4.
If a comedian or speaker warms up an audience or the audience warms up, the audience is prepared for the main show or speaker by being told jokes, so that they are in a good mood.
They would always come out and ~ the audience...
The crowd began to ~.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P