Meaning trap

build up

develop strength or confidence

To gradually make someone or something stronger, healthier, or more confident.

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

develop strength or confidence

To gradually make someone or something stronger, healthier, or more confident.

build up (increase gradually)

Another meaning of 'build up' is 'increase gradually'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Regular exercise can help you build up your strength after an illness.health
Joining group discussions is a good way to build up your speaking skills in English.IELTS speaking

Pattern: build up (something) / build (someone/something) up

WrongI'm trying to build up my confident.

RightI'm trying to build up my confidence.

It's the noun 'confidence', not the adjective 'confident'.

Patternbuild up (something) / build (someone/something) up

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff You must gradually augment your physical strength after the injury.

Natural You need to build up your strength again.

'Gradually augment your physical strength' is clinical; 'build up your strength' is everyday.

Words that usually travel with it.

Different from 'recover', which means to get better, not necessarily stronger.

build up (increase gradually) — Another meaning of 'build up' is 'increase gradually'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.