verb
Etymology: work (III)
transitive verb
1. : to stir up : rouse , excite
work up indignation against the murderers — C.H.Sykes
: summon up
the novelist can work up sufficient interest in them to record their minor and pathetic self-deceptions — Dachine Rainer
work up a sweat in a gymnasium
2. : develop , elaborate
to have worked up a scheme to the point where it is necessary to have outside capital — Mary Austin
work up some strong emotional scenes — Henry Hewes
work up a comedy act
3. : to keep (a crew) at work upon needless jobs for punishment
intransitive verb
1. : to rise gradually and steadily in intensity or emotional tone
story develops … and works up to a brilliant conclusion — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin
afternoon thunderstorm beginning to work up — G.R.Stewart
2. : to improve in efficiency
the fleet … has been gradually working up as it steams eastward — H.W.Baldwin
3. : to rise to the printing surface — used of a space, lead, or other part of a form not intended to print