beef up

USAGE SUMMARY

'beef up' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean increasing the strength or amount of something, usually in a particular area. For example, "The company decided to beef up their online security measures after their last data breach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It'll beef up your deltoids".

The New York Times

"We don't put anything in to beef up the flavor.

The New York Times

Many support programs to beef up the court system.

The New York Times

The way to stop smuggling is to beef up enforcement.

The Economist

The SEC has been working hard to beef up enforcement.

The Economist

Hence, the agreement to beef up the I.M.F.

The New York Times

"We'll probably have to beef up our used-car operation".

The New York Times

That alone will beef up MSNBC's straight-news plan.

The Washington Post

He was there to beef up Pace's foreign enrollment.

The New York Times - Sports

But there are also attempts to beef up her resume.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Should we beef-up our security measures in public places?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beef up" when you want to convey the idea of making something stronger or more substantial, often in a practical or tangible sense. For example, "beef up security measures".

Common error

While "beef up" is widely understood, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "strengthen" or "enhance" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "beef up" primarily functions as a verb of action, indicating the act of strengthening or reinforcing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to increase the strength or amount of something. Examples include "beef up security" or "beef up enforcement".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beef up" is a phrasal verb meaning to strengthen or reinforce something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase frequently employed in News & Media and academic contexts. While its grammatical status is correct, consider the formality of your writing, as "beef up" can sometimes be perceived as informal. When seeking alternatives, "strengthen", "reinforce", and "enhance" offer suitable substitutes depending on the context. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility across various domains, reinforcing its status as a common and practical expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strengthen

Focuses on increasing the power or effectiveness of something, similar to "beef up" but more general.

reinforce

Emphasizes adding support to prevent weakening, like "beef up" but suggests existing structure.

fortify

Implies making something secure and resistant to attack, a specific form of "beef up".

enhance

Suggests improving the quality or value of something, a broader sense of "beef up".

augment

Means adding to something to increase its size or value, a more formal synonym of "beef up".

bolster

Indicates supporting or strengthening, often used for morale or confidence, similar to "beef up".

build up

Suggests gradually increasing something over time, akin to gradually "beefing up".

shore up

Focuses on preventing collapse or failure by providing support, a specific type of "beef up".

amplify

Emphasizes increasing the intensity or loudness, a more specific application than "beef up".

improve

Implies making something better, a very general term encompassing the idea of "beef up".

FAQs

How can I use "beef up" in a sentence?

You can use "beef up" to describe the act of strengthening or reinforcing something. For example, "The company decided to "beef up" its marketing strategy to increase sales".

What can I say instead of "beef up"?

You can use alternatives like "strengthen", "reinforce", or "enhance" depending on the context.

Is "beef up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "beef up" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives such as "improve" or "fortify".

What's the difference between "beef up" and "strengthen"?

"Beef up" often implies adding substance or making something more robust, while "strengthen" is a more general term for increasing power or effectiveness. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.