build (redirected from builds on)

*fire under someone

Fig. something that makes someone start doing something. (*Typically: build ~; light ~; start ~.) The teacher built a fire under the students, and they really started working. You had better light a fire under your staff. Either that or we will lay off some of them.

See also: fire

build (something) out over something and build (something) over something

to construct something so that it extends over something else, such as water or some architectural feature. We built a deck out over the pond. We built the deck over the pond.

See also: out

build (up)on something 

1. to construct something on a particular space. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) Are you going to build upon this land? Yes, we will build on it.

2. to start with something and add to it. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) Our progress has been good so far. Let's build on it. We will build upon the success of our forebears.

build someone or something up 

1. Lit. to make someone or something bigger or stronger. Tom is lifting weights to build himself up for basketball. Tom needs to build up his upper body.

2. Fig. to advertise, praise, or promote someone or something. Theatrical agents work very hard to build up their clients. Advertising can build a product up so much that everyone will want it.

See also: up

build someone or something up (into someone or something)

to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. The agent built up the local band into a top national act.

See also: up

build someone or something up (into someone or something)

to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. The agent built up the local band into a top national act.

See also: up

build someone into something and build someone in

to make a person an integral part of an organization or a plan. The mayor built his cronies into the organizational structure of the town. He built in his relatives as part of the administration.

build someone up (for something)

Fig. to prepare someone for something; to bring a person into a state of mind to accept some information. We built them up for the challenge they were to face. We had to build up the woman before breaking the bad news.

See also: up

build something (up)on something 

1. Lit. to construct something on the base of something else. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The ancients built their houses upon the houses of earlier people.

2. Fig. to add to and develop something that already exists. We have a good reputation and we must build on it. He has to build on his strong friendships with the customers.

build something into something and build something in 

1. to integrate a piece of furniture or an appliance into a building's construction. We will build this cupboard into the wall about here. We are going to build in a chest of drawers. Then we will build another one in.

2. to make a particular quality a basic part of something. We build quality into our cars before we put our name on them. We build in quality.

3. to make a special restriction or specification a part of the plan of something. I built the restriction into our agreement. The lawyer built in the requirement that payments be by certified check.

build something on(to) something and build something on

to construct an extension onto a building. We are going to build a garage onto this side of the house. We will build on a new garage. The people next door are not going to build anything on.

build something out of something

to construct something from parts or materials. She built a tower out of the blocks. They will build the bridge out of reinforced concrete.

See also: out

build something to order

to build an individual object according to a special set of specifications. I am having them build a new house to order—just for us. The car will be built to order.

See also: order

build something up 

1. Lit. to add buildings to an area of land or a neighborhood. They are really building this area up. There is no more open space. They built up the area over the years.

2. Fig. to develop, accumulate, or increase something, such as wealth, business, goodwill, etc. I built this business up through hard work and hope. She built up a good business over the years.

3. Fig. to praise or exalt something; to exaggerate the virtues of something. The master of ceremonies built the act up so much that everyone was disappointed when they saw it. He built up the act too much.

See also: up

build a better mousetrap

to develop or invent something superior to a device that is widely used. (From the old saying, "If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.") Harry thought he could build a better mousetrap, but everything he "invented" had already been thought of.

See also: better

build a case (against someone) and gather a case (against someone)

to put together the evidence needed to make a legal or disciplinary case against someone. The police easily built a case against the drunken driver. As soon as we gather the case against her, we can obtain a warrant to arrest her.

See also: case

build castles in the air and build castles in Spain

Fig. to daydream; to make plans that can never come true. Ann spends most of her time building castles in Spain. I really like to sit on the porch in the evening, just building castles in the air.

See also: air, castle

build down

[for traffic] to reduce in volume or diminish. At about six, the going-home traffic begins to build down. When traffic builds down, I leave for home.

build on(to) something and build on

to add to something by constructing an extension. Do you plan to build onto this house? Yes, we are going to build on.

build one's hopes on someone or something

to make plans or have aspirations based on someone or something. I have built my hopes on making a success of this business. I built my hopes on John's presidency.

See also: hope

build out onto something

to extend a building onto a particular space. We can build out onto the adjacent lot after we purchase it. We built out onto the area over the old patio.

See also: out

build up

to increase; to develop. The storm clouds are building up. Better close the windows.

See also: up

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.

See also: up

It is easier to tear down than to build up.

Prov. Destroying things is easier than building them. Jill: That poor politician—he served honestly and well for all those years and now his career is ruined by one little scandal. Jane: It is easier to tear down than to build up.

See also: easy, tear, up

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build bridges

to improve relationships between people who are very different or do not like each other (often + between ) A local charity is working to build bridges between different ethnic groups in the area.

See build up a head of steam

See also: Bridges

build/get/work up a head of steam

to get enough energy, support, or enthusiasm to do something effectively

Usage notes: A head of steam is the pressure that is needed in the engine of an old-fashioned steam train to make it start moving.

In the last three months the campaign has built up a good head of steam.

See also: head, steam, up

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build something into something

to make a feature part of the design of something We have built new data security into the software design. The schedule has a lot of free time built into it.

build bridges

to increase understanding between different people or groups They wanted to build bridges and believed that an international conference would be the best way to start that process.

See also: Bridges

build in something also build something in

to include a feature when something is being put together You should build in some way to cancel the contract if things don't work out. Software developers built in a word processor.

build on something also build upon something

to add another thing to something that already exists In his new book he builds on his own discoveries, and he builds on current theory. The president is building upon the extraordinary commitment to volunteerism Americans have.