# heat up

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heat-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to make something warm or hot, or to become hot yourself.

For teachers: to increase the temperature of an object or environment; can be used transitively (to warm something) or intransitively (to become warm).

## Examples

- I need to heat up my soup in the microwave.
- The room started to heat up as soon as the afternoon sun hit the large windows.
- As the political debate began to heat up, both candidates abandoned their prepared remarks and engaged in a series of sharp personal attacks.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will hot up the coffee." but "I will heat up the coffee." — 'hot' is an adjective, while 'heat' is the verb form required for this phrasal verb.

## Usage notes

- often used for food or physical spaces, but can also describe a situation becoming more intense.
- Teaching tip: point out that 'heat up' is more common than the simple verb 'heat' in casual conversation, especially regarding food.

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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.