Phrasal verb
bulk up
Definition
phr.v. to make your body bigger and stronger by lifting weights and eating more food.
phr.v. to increase one's body mass, specifically muscle tissue, through a combination of hypertrophy-focused resistance training and a caloric surplus.
Examples
“He wants to bulk up before the rugby season starts.”
“After months of lifting heavy weights and eating extra protein, the athlete managed to bulk up significantly.”
“The actor was required to bulk up for his role as a superhero, undergoing a rigorous six-month physical transformation under professional supervision.”
Examples
simple
“He wants to bulk up before the rugby season starts.”
contextual
“After months of lifting heavy weights and eating extra protein, the athlete managed to bulk up significantly.”
complex
“The actor was required to bulk up for his role as a superhero, undergoing a rigorous six-month physical transformation under professional supervision.”
Usage
Intransitive when referring to a person's physical growth.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'slim down' or 'tone up'; 'bulk' implies a significant increase in size and volume rather than just definition.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
bulk + up (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bulk-up