work (oneself) up
1. To become or make oneself feel very nervous, distressed, or upset. You need to stop working yourself up about this job interview. Just be yourself and try your best. My mom always works herself up that we're going to be late for our flight if we don't get to the airport at least three hours ahead of time.
2. To make oneself mentally or emotionally prepared (to do something); to gather or summon up enough courage, conviction, or energy (to do something). I'm working myself up to telling Mary the truth, but I'm not quite ready yet. She worked herself up to leaving her job and moving to LA to pursue her dream.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
work oneself up
(to something) 1. . to prepare oneself with sufficient energy or courage to do something. I can't just walk in there and ask for a raise. I have to work myself up to it. I worked myself up and went into the boss's office.
2. and work one's way up (to something) to progress in one's work to a particular rank or status. I worked myself up to sergeant in no time at all. Claude worked his way up to master sergeant.
work oneself up
to allow oneself to become emotionally upset. Todd worked himself up, and I thought he would scream. Don't work yourself up over Sally. She's not worth it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
work oneself up
tv. to allow oneself to become emotionally upset. Todd worked himself up, and I thought he would scream.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.