Source : WordNet®

build up
     v 1: enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages;
          "build up your savings"
     2: form or accumulate steadily; "Resistance to the manager's
        plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the
        Indian-Pakistani border" [syn: {work up}, {build}, {progress}]
     3: prepare oneself for a military confrontation; "The U.S. is
        girding for a conflict in the Middle East"; "troops are
        building up on the Iraqui border" [syn: {arm}, {fortify},
        {gird}] [ant: {disarm}]
     4: bolster or strengthen; "We worked up courage"; "build up
        confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports" [syn: {work
        up}, {build}, {ramp up}]
     5: change the use of and make available or usable; "develop
        land"; "The country developed its natural resources"; "The
        remote areas of the country were gradually built up" [syn:
         {develop}]