to firm up
5
3.3
- phrasal verb
:
definir
- Before we send out invitations, let's firm up the date and location.
- firm up plans
- firm up prices
- firm up support
It'll take me weeks or even months to be confident in my diagnostic hypothesis, and we sometimes even do additional testing to firm it up.
- It'll take me weeks or even months to be confident in my diagnostic hypothesis, and we sometimes even do additional testing to firm it up.
- That was not a problem the third one and and I'd by now I'd firmed up security so much at the shop that I said to my staff next time it'll be outside.
Examples
-
He's got to get the schedule firmed up before it's announced on October 2.
Blog text (23) -
West African leaders meet at an emergency summit on Sunday to firm up military plans to win back Islamist-held northern Mali.
Blog text (10) -
Please keep us updated as your plans firm up.
Blog text (7) -
As soon as more details are firmed up about the series, I should have more to share in the future.
Blog text (20) -
Impetus for change: increasingly, there are good reasons for tribal courts to firm up conduct codes for lawyers and judges.
Academic text (2011) -
Dougal had disappeared there after the conclusion of his business with me, presumably to firm up arrangements with the other contracting party.
Fiction book (1991) -
Obviously, the 49ers want their best chance to beat the Saints and continue to firm up their NFC playoff positioning.
Blog text (23) -
On Tuesday, Nkemdiche also told Adams that he intends to visit LSU, although he has not firmed up a date.
Blog text (3) -
To overcome this dilemma, it is crucial that leaders at all levels firm up goals for Tech Prep, not to the point of stagnation, but so that its uniqueness and importance are clearly visible.
Academic text (1995) -
In 1521, Ponce de León sailed back to Florida to help firm up his claim.
Blog text (4)
Synonyms
111
2.7
To make a feeling or belief stronger
25
2.8
To arrange a meeting or appointment
20
4.6
Decide the exact details of a plan or agreement
16
4.0
Make or become tighter and more solid
Antonyms
How Certain
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to make an arrangement more definite' is directly derived from combining 'firm' (to make stronger or more solid) with the particle 'up' (indicating increase, completion, or intensification). This compositional verb+particle pattern is transparent and common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings should be able to infer the MWE's sense.
Etymology
The phrasal verb firm up may come from the simple image of making something solid: to firm something up is to press or pack it so it becomes steady. That's why today it means to make a plan or decision more 'certain' or 'final'.