heat up

phrasal verb

heated up; heating up; heats up

1

: to become warm or hot

The morning started out cold but it heated up quickly.

2

: to become more active, intense, or angry

Their conversation started to heat up.

Competition between the two companies is heating up.

3

heat (something) up or heat up (something) : to cause (something) to become warm or hot

Could you heat up the vegetables, please?

Examples of heat up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The measure, unveiled in February as the 2024 election cycle was just heating up, would have provided $20 billion to add hundreds more Border Patrol agents and to hire thousands of additional officers to evaluate asylum claims. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Eventually, the scene fades away as things heat up. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

As the race in Tennessee's 5th District heats up, Ogles' ability to navigate the FBI investigation, manage his financial controversies, and hold onto his conservative base will be key to his chances of securing a second term. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Start heating up those flamethrowers and pile into the Winnebago, kids! —Josh Weiss, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024