work up

1.activity directed toward making or doing something;

she checked several points needing further work

2.a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing;

it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works

3.the occupation for which you are paid;

he is looking for employment

4.applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading);

mastering a second language requires a lot of work

5.the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it);

he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre

6.a place where work is done;

he arrived at work early today

7.(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force;

work equals force times distance

1.exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity;

I will work hard to improve my grades

2.be employed;

Is your husband working again?

3.have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;

The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought

4.perform as expected when applied;

The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in

5.shape, form, or improve a material;

work stone into tools

6.give a work-out to;

Some parents exercise their infants

7.proceed along a path;

work one's way through the crowd

8.operate in a certain place, area, or specialty;

She works the night clubs

9.proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity;

work your way through every problem or task

10. move in an agitated manner;

His fingers worked with tension

11. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

I cannot work a miracle

12. cause to work;

he is working his servants hard

13. prepare for crops;

Work the soil

14. behave in a certain way when handled;

This dough does not work easily

15. have and exert influence or effect;

The artist's work influenced the young painter

16. operate in or through;

Work the phones

17. cause to operate or function;

This pilot works the controls

18. provoke or excite;

The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy

19. gratify and charm, usually in order to influence;

the political candidate worked the crowds

20. make something, usually for a specific function;

She molded the riceballs carefully

21. move into or onto;

work the raisins into the dough

22. make uniform;

knead dough

23. use or manipulate to one's advantage;

He exploit the new taxation system

24. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of;

did you solve the problem?

25. cause to undergo fermentation;

We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content

26. go sour or spoil;

The milk has soured

27. arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion;

The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times