From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwork up phrasal verb1 BECOME work up enthusiasm/interest/courage etc to make yourself feel interested, brave etc I’m trying to work up enough courage to go to the dentist.2 HUNGRY/WANT TO EAT work up an appetite/a thirst/a sweat to make yourself hungry or thirsty, or make yourself sweat, especially by doing physical exercise You can work up a really big thirst playing tennis.3 ANGRY work somebody up to make someone very angry, excited, or upset about somethingwork yourself up You’re working yourself up again. She had worked herself up into a state. → worked up4 work something ↔ upIMPROVE to develop and improve something such as a project or a piece of writing Jack took notes which he would work up into a report later. → work→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
work yourself up• You are working yourself up again.• But Nick was working himself up into one of his states, and she had to harden her heart.• When I try to protest, he works himself up more.• You don't have to work yourself up over this. 