steam up

verb

steamed up; steaming up; steams up

transitive verb

: to make angry or excited : arouse

Examples of steam up in a Sentence

finding yet another mistaken charge on his hospital bill really steamed him up
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The massive greenhouses are already steaming up from the unseasonably warm Texas weather, almost stifling any sort of yuletide anticipation—almost. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024 Sansom is known for directing Down by the River Thames, a groundbreaking concert film capturing the legendary Liam Gallagher (Oasis) play a surreal live performance whilst steaming up the river Thames at sunset. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steam up was in 1922

Cite this Entry

“Steam up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam%20up. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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