Differences between well up and work up
Well up means to fill with tears or emotions, while work up means to create or develop something through effort or practice.
Meanings and Definitions: well up vs work up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Well up
- 1Feel tears starting.
I felt tears WELLING UP when I heard the news.
- 2Feel an emotion strongly.
Anger WELLED UP inside us when we saw what they had done.
- 3Experience an emotion or feeling, start to cry.
Tears WELLED UP when I heard they had died.
Work up
- 1To generate or develop (a feeling or emotion).
I just can’t work up any enthusiasm for this trip.
- 2To become very excited or emotional.
The kids had worked themselves up to a fever pitch of excitement.
- 3To develop or increase.
We went for a long walk to work up an appetite.
Usage Examples: well up, work up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
well up
Example
Tears well up in her eyes when she watches a sad movie.
Example
He wells up every time he hears the national anthem.
work up
Example
She tried to work up the courage to speak in front of the audience.
Example
He works up the energy to go for a run every morning.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Well up
choke up
To become emotional and unable to speak due to sadness or strong feelings.
Example
She choked up when she saw the old family photos and remembered her late grandmother.
tear up
To cry or become emotional, causing tears to form in one's eyes.
Example
The touching movie made him tear up and reach for a tissue.
get emotional
To feel strong emotions, usually related to sadness or happiness.
Example
She got emotional when she heard the news of her friend's engagement.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Work up
build up
To develop or increase something gradually through effort or practice.
Example
He built up his endurance by running every day and eventually completed a marathon.
develop skills
To improve or acquire abilities through practice or training.
Example
She developed her language skills by taking classes and practicing with native speakers.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “work”
Phrasal Verbs with “up”
Differences in well up vs work up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: well up or work up?
In daily conversation, people use work up more often than well up. This is because work up is used for more practical tasks such as building skills or generating ideas. Well up is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about emotional reactions. So, while both phrases are used, work up is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of well up and work up
Well up and work up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of well up and work up
The tone of well up and work up can differ based on context. Well up often carries an emotional or sentimental tone when related to crying or feeling overwhelmed, while work up typically has a determined and focused tone, especially when referring to building skills or generating ideas.
well up & work up: Synonyms and Antonyms
Well up
Antonyms
- repress
- calm down
- compose oneself
- control emotions
- suppress
- hold back
