work up an appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

"work up an appetite" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the activity of engaging in a form of physical activity to encourage one's hunger before eating. For example, you could say, "After a long bike ride, I worked up an appetite and made myself a snack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Want to work up an appetite for that brunch?

The New York Times - Food

Active escapes Work up an appetite on one of Bicycle Beano's guided vegetarian cycling holidays.

Independent

Where to eat: It's easy to work up an appetite while looking at savory waterfowl.

The Washington Post

All this literary-inspired sightseeing might work up an appetite of a different kind.

The New York Times - Travel

Just the thing to work up an appetite for Christmas dinner.

The Guardian

(You can work up an appetite while waiting two hours for one of the restaurant's eight tables).

The New Yorker

It's not difficult to work up an appetite in Kotor, a historic city on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.

The New York Times

The regimented lines of waves are irresistible, tubes of turquoise water – an excellent way to work up an appetite.

The Guardian - Travel

Walking through the concrete corridors so early in the morning, it is impossible not to work up an appetite.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They're going to work-up an appetite.

Huffington Post

If the last meal you'd eaten was on the plane or perhaps, like many, you try to avoid in-flight food, a refreshing run is a great way to work-up an appetite while you work-up a sweat.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities before meals, use "work up an appetite" to suggest physical exertion or stimulation, as in "A brisk walk will help you "work up an appetite" for dinner."

Common error

Avoid using "work up an appetite" when there is no active effort to stimulate hunger. For example, instead of saying "Sitting all day will "work up an appetite", consider "Sitting all day will probably make you hungry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work up an appetite" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of engaging in activities, typically physical, that stimulate hunger. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered a correct and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work up an appetite" is an idiomatic expression meaning to stimulate hunger through physical activity or other means. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of contexts. While alternatives like "stimulate hunger" or "build an appetite" exist, "work up an appetite" is widely understood and frequently used to describe preparing oneself for a meal through activity. Remember to use the phrase when describing active scenarios that can improve the sensation of hunger, rather than situations where the stimulus is only passive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build an appetite

Similar to the original, but uses "build" instead of "work up".

stimulate hunger

Focuses on the direct action of increasing hunger, omitting the method.

arouse appetite

Uses a more formal verb to describe the increase in hunger.

increase appetite

Focuses on the increase in appetite, without specifying how it's achieved.

sharpen the appetite

Uses a different verb to convey making the appetite more keen.

whetting the appetite

Describes a process of increasing hunger, often in anticipation of a meal.

encourage hunger

A simpler way to express the idea of prompting appetite.

promote hunger

Highlights the action of making someone hungry.

create a desire to eat

Emphasizes the creation of a wish to consume food.

get hungry

A general term indicating the feeling of hunger, lacking the proactive aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "work up an appetite" in a sentence?

You can use "work up an appetite" to describe engaging in activities that stimulate hunger, such as "After a long hike, we had really worked up an appetite for a hearty meal".

What is a good alternative to "work up an appetite"?

Alternatives to "work up an appetite" include "build an appetite", "stimulate hunger", or "arouse appetite" depending on the context.

Is "work up an appetite" formal or informal?

"Work up an appetite" is generally considered an informal phrase suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In more formal contexts, consider using "stimulate hunger".

What kind of activities can help me "work up an appetite"?

Physical activities like "hiking", "swimming", or even a simple "walk" can help you "work up an appetite" before a meal. Also, certain smells or sights may also have the power of generating hunger by themselves.