# tune up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/tune-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To beat up (someone).

## Examples

- The gang threatened to tune him up if he returned.
- The witness was terrified because the criminals warned they would tune him up if he talked to the police.
- Fearing that the local thugs would tune him up for trespassing on their territory, he retreated into the shadows of the alleyway.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.