Phrase guide

firm up

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make (tentative plans) more definite.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Can we firm up plans for the barbecue Sunday?
  • 1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure Just got a call from Falces office firming up my hospital date.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To become more definite.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • Let me know as soon as your plans firm up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To make (muscles) more toned through physical exercise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • He hopes to firm up his biceps a bit before meeting the girls.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To become more toned through physical exercise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • After weeks of working out, his biceps finally began to firm up a bit.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To become firmer in consistency.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • Cook the omelet until the top has started to firm up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

arrange firmly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • firm up one's plans

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: arrange, fix up

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: préciser — To make tentative plans more definite
  • French: affermir — To make muscles more toned
  • Irish: cruaigh — To become firmer in consistency