build up to (something)
1. To reach something gradually. I know you're building up to your point, but you're also putting your audience to sleep. You can't just walk into the gym and grab the 50-pound weights—you need to build up to that! I've been putting $50 aside every month in an attempt to build up to $1,000 in savings.
2. To become or develop into something gradually. The issues that you're trying to ignore in your relationship will build up to serious problems in time. Man, I hope this headache doesn't build up to a full-fledged migraine. Thank you for fixing the leaky faucet before it built up into a bigger problem.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
build up to something
1. [for a person] to lead up to something or advance to doing or saying something. I can tell you are building up to something. What is it?
2. [for a situation] to develop into something. The argument is building up to something unpleasant.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.