tune up

To adjust a musical instrument so that its notes sound right before a performance.

• The musicians are tuning up.
• He tuned up his guitar before the show.
• Have you finished tuning up?

How to use it: tune something up (She tuned her violin up before the concert.)

Similar words: tune

Common phrases: tune up a guitar, tune up before playing, tune something up

To make small changes to an engine or bicycle so that it works better.

• Can you tune up my bike?
• We tuned up the engine last week.
• The car runs better after being tuned up.

How to use it: tune something up (The mechanic tuned my car up before the journey.)

Similar words: adjust, service

Common phrases: tune up an engine, tune up a bike, tune something up

To prepare your body for hard exercise by doing easier movements first.

• The players tuned up before the match.
• We tune up with a short jog.
• Have you tuned up for the race?

How to use it: tune up for something (The runners tuned up for the race with gentle stretches.)

Similar words: warm up, limber up

Opposites: cool down

Common phrases: tune up before exercise, tune up for something

To start singing or playing music.

• The band tuned up a lively song.
• A fiddler tuned up, and everyone began to dance.
• The singers tuned up as the guests arrived.

Similar words: strike up, start playing

Common phrases: tune up a song, tune up together

To hit someone hard several times.

• They threatened to tune him up.
• Two men tuned up the witness outside the bar.
• He was afraid of getting tuned up again.

How to use it: tune someone up (The gang threatened to tune him up.)

Similar words: beat up, rough up

Common phrases: tune someone up, tune up someone