tune up

present singular third person tunes up · participle present tuning up · participle past tuned up · past tuned up

1. transitiveTo make adjustments (to an engine or bicycle drivetrain) in order to improve its performance.

   Synonyms: soup up

2. intransitiveTo make preparations for vigorous exercise; to warm up.
3. intransitiveTo begin to sing or play music.
4. intransitiveentertainmentTo tune one's instrument in preparation for performance.

   By this time the theatre had practically filled and the orchestra was tuning up for the overture.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

5. USidiomatictransitiveTo beat up (someone).

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

   2017, Jeff Gulvin, The Contract: A John Q Thriller, →ISBN

   2 more 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.”

   2007, Michael Berish, Reflections from the Pit, →ISBN

   “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."

   2015, Joe Peters, Bill Fleming, Code Black, →ISBN, page 264