What Does Beef Up Mean?
To beef up something means to increase something, especially to add strength to it; to reinforce something; to add more to something to make it more substantial; to make something more effective; to add more support; to boost something.
In regards to people, to beef up means to become big and muscular or, sometimes, to become fat.
Sentence Examples
“Given the potential for violence, we will have to substantially beef up security for this event.”
“My website host has really beefed up their resources lately. They are really doing a great job.”
“You know, I think we need to beef up the drums more on this track.”
“Lots of guys want to beef up in the gym, but do they really want to end up looking like Dorian Yates or Ronnie Coleman?”
“The studio, under protest, agreed to beef up the budget for the movie.”
“Our staffing needs to be beefed up to meet the summer demands.”
“That was an excellent speech you gave us, Heywood.” “It certainly was. I’m sure it beefed up morale a hell of a lot.” — 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Origin of Idiom, “Beef Up”
Beef, in this idiom, comes from an older slang use of beef to mean ‘muscles’ or ‘power.’ The idiom has been used since the late 1800s.
Similar Idioms and Related Expressions
Build up: To gradually increase the size, strength, or intensity of something over time, such as building up physical muscle or financial reserves.
Shore up: To provide extra support or reinforcement to something that is currently weak, unstable, or in danger of failing.
Amp up / Crank up: To significantly increase the power, volume, or emotional energy of a situation.
Step up: To increase the speed, frequency, or intensity of an ongoing effort to achieve a better result.
Bolster up: To add a layer of support or structural strength to something to make it more secure.
Toughen up: To make a person or an object more resilient, sturdy, and capable of withstanding harsh conditions.
Pump up: To inflate, expand, or artificially intensify the scale or excitement of something.
Raise the Bar: to set higher standards or rules than before; to make something a bit more difficult than before; to raise the quality expected.
Use It or Lose It: Of fitness, if you do not continue to train or exercise, your fitness will decline and you will lose whatever you have gained.
No Pain, No Gain: nothing can be achieved without without suffering or sacrifice; you cannot make progress without discomfort.
Add Fuel to the Fire: to make a bad situation worse; to do something that increases anger or hostility.