BUILD UP

build up phrasal verb ( see also ↑ build )

1 . INCREASE GRADUALLY if something builds up somewhere, or if you build it up, it gradually becomes bigger or greater:

the rate at which the pension builds up

build something ↔ up

The museum has built up a fine art collection.

⇨ ↑ build-up

2 . DEVELOP build something ↔ up to make something develop or form

build something ↔ up into

He’s built up the family firm into a multinational company.

3 . FEELING if a feeling builds up, or if you build it up, it increases gradually over a period of time:

If you don’t express your feelings, frustration and anger can build up.

build up something

You have to build up trust.

4 . MAKE HEALTHY build somebody/something ↔ up to make someone well and strong again, especially after an illness:

Taking exercise will build up your strength.

5 . PRAISE build somebody/something ↔ up to praise someone or something so that other people think they are really good, or so that they have more confidence:

The coach has been building his men up before the match.

6 . build up sb’s hopes ( also build somebody's hopes up ) to unfairly encourage someone to think that they will get what they hope for:

Don’t build your hopes up too much.