bulk up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, especially in fitness contexts; sometimes colloquial in business/finance.
Quick answer
What does “bulk up” mean?
to increase muscle mass or physical size through exercise and nutrition, especially weight training.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to increase muscle mass or physical size through exercise and nutrition, especially weight training.
To increase the size, volume, or mass of something generally; can be used metaphorically for adding content, substance, or scale.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. 'Bulk up' is slightly more common in American media specifically about bodybuilding. British English might more readily use the metaphorical sense for documents or reports.
Connotations
Both share the primary fitness connotation. In business contexts, both can imply adding superficial content.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties due to global fitness culture.
Grammar
How to Use “bulk up” in a Sentence
[Subject] + bulk up + (for [reason])[Subject] + bulk up + [Object] (metaphorical)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bulk up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He needed to bulk up for the rugby season.
- The author was asked to bulk up the manuscript to meet the page count.
American English
- He's bulking up for the football team.
- They bulked up the portfolio with more stable bonds.
adverb
British English
- This supplement helps you train more bulk-up effectively. (rare/awkward)
American English
- He ate bulk-up style for six months. (rare/awkward)
adjective
British English
- He's on a bulking-up diet.
- A bulked-up version of the report was submitted.
American English
- He's in a bulking-up phase.
- The bulked-up security detail was noticeable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'We need to bulk up the proposal with more client testimonials.' (add content, sometimes superficially)
Academic
Rare in formal writing; possible in sports science: 'The intervention aimed to bulk up the athletes.'
Everyday
'He's been at the gym for months trying to bulk up.'
Technical
Used in fitness and nutrition science to describe a hypertrophy-focused training phase.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bulk up”
- Using 'bulk up' to mean simply getting fat. Using it for intangible growth (e.g., 'bulk up my knowledge'). Confusing with 'buck up' (cheer up).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for people/muscle, it can metaphorically refer to adding content or substance to documents, portfolios, or teams.
No. 'Get fit' is about overall health and conditioning. 'Bulk up' is specifically about increasing muscle size and mass, which is just one aspect of fitness.
The opposite phase is often called 'cutting' or 'trimming down', where the goal is to lose body fat while preserving muscle.
Yes, especially in non-fitness contexts. For example, 'bulking up a report' can imply adding unnecessary filler to make it appear more substantial.
to increase muscle mass or physical size through exercise and nutrition, especially weight training.
Bulk up is usually informal, especially in fitness contexts; sometimes colloquial in business/finance. in register.
Bulk up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌlk ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʌlk ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bulk up or shut up (colloquial/challenge)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'bulk' shipment – it's large and heavy. To 'bulk up' is to make yourself or something else larger and heavier.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE / ADDING IS GROWING. The process of adding substance is conceptualized as increasing physical volume.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'to bulk up the proposal' most likely means to: