work (yourself) up to sth
— phrasal verb with work /wɜːk/
/wɝːk/ verb Definition
› to gradually prepare yourself for something difficult: He's very shy, but he's slowly working (his way/himself) up to letting her know what he feels about her.Preparing
(Definition of work (yourself) up to sth from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- allowance noun (PREPARATION)
- batten down the hatches idiom
- break sb in phrasal verb
- build-up noun (PREPARATION)
- calibrate verb
- clear the decks idiom
- gear (sb/sth) up phrasal verb
- gear sth to/towards sb/sth phrasal verb
- gird yourself idiom
- groom verb (PREPARE)
- groundwork noun
- lay the basis/foundations for sth idiom
- lay verb (PUT DOWN)
- preparation noun (GETTING READY)
- preset adjective
- preset verb
- prime verb
- roll up your sleeves idiom
- set (sth) up phrasal verb
- steel verb
Topic:
Preparing
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