tune up

Definitions

1. To make adjustments (to an engine or bicycle drivetrain) in order to improve its performance.
   transitive
2. To make preparations for vigorous exercise; to warm up.
   intransitive
3. To begin to sing or play music.
   intransitive
4. To tune one's instrument in preparation for performance.
   intransitive
5. To beat up (someone).
   US, idiomatic, transitive

Equivalents

Examples

““We finally stopped roustin' him and decided to tune⟳ him up instead, every chance we got.” “Tune⟳ him up?” “Yeah, that's an expression for beatin' the living dog shit outta somebody.””

““I mean⟳, I had to tune⟳ her up a bit. She bitched a lot and never did any work⟳. Sometimes, you know⟳, you just gotta get⟳ their attention, whack 'em a little."”

“[T]hey couldn't tune⟳ him up because the murder⟳ had to look⟳ like⟳ he died in his sleep⟳.”

CEFR level