beef up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make something stronger, more substantial, or more effective: The phrase "beef up" means to add strength, substance, power, or resources to something, thereby improving its capacity, effectiveness, or robustness.
Usage
- "Beef up" is a transitive phrasal verb (it requires a direct object). It is commonly used in informal contexts related to security, arguments, teams, content, or physical strength.
- It often implies an enhancement or reinforcement from a previously weaker or insufficient state.
Examples
- Verb:
- The company decided to beef up its cybersecurity after the data breach.
- He started lifting weights to beef up for the football season.
- The editor asked the writer to beef up the conclusion with more data.
Advanced Usage
- "beef up on [something]": To intensively study or improve one's knowledge of a particular subject. (Note: This is a related but distinct phrasal verb construction).
- I need to beef up on my Spanish before the trip to Madrid.
Variants and Related Words
- Beefy (adj): Having a solid, muscular, or substantial build.
- The bodyguard was a beefy man who blocked the door.
Synonyms
- Strengthen: To make or become stronger.
- Reinforce: To strengthen or support, especially with additional material or people.
- Fortify: To strengthen a place or thing against attack.
- Enhance: To intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Bulk up: To gain body mass or muscle size, often through exercise. (Very similar in meaning when referring to physical strength).
- His goal was to bulk up over the summer.
Related Idioms
- Put some meat on the bones: To add substance or detail to something, like a plan or story. (Conceptually similar to "beef up").
- The proposal is a good start, but we need to put some meat on the bones.
Verb
- make strong or stronger
- This exercise will strengthen your upper body
- strengthen the relations between the two countries