definition of
[work up]

[1] #1 work up v. form or accumulate steadily; "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border". wn

[2] #2 work up v. develop; "we worked up an as of an appetite". wn

[3] #3 work up v. bolster or strengthen; "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports". wn

[4] #4 work up v. come up with; "His colleagues worked out his interesting idea"; "We worked up an ad for our client". wn