limbers up
Prepares muscles beforehand
To limber up is to loosen and stretch the muscles in preparation for physical activity: The runners limbered up before the race.
The phrase extends to any warming-up process: She limbered up with a few practice questions before the interview.
The up emphasizes readiness—you limber up before you perform.
- warming upPreparing body for exertion
- gearing upPreparing for something ahead
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- dynamic stretchingMotion-based flexibility preparation
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
getting ready · acclimating · flexibility exercises · range of motion · breathing techniques · affirmations · cooldowns · visualization · prepares · mindfulness · goal-setting · pre-game · rehearsing · uplift · ready to go · stress management · joints · muscles
limbers upstiffens
Becomes less pliable
tightens up · stiffens up · seizes up · locks up · freezes up
limbers upcools down
Reduces in temperature
winds down · rests · relaxes · settles · stops