Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 PHRASAL VERB If you work out a solution to a problem or mystery, you manage to find the solution by thinking or talking about it. □ [V P n] Negotiators are due to meet later today to work out a compromise. □ [V P wh] It took me some time to work out what was causing this. □ [V n P ] 'How will you contact me?'—'We haven't worked that out yet.' ● PHRASE If you have something all worked out , you have thought about it carefully, and know exactly what you are going to do or exactly what you want. □  I had the ideal man all worked out in my mind.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you work out the answer to a mathematical problem, you calculate it. □ [V P n] It is proving hard to work out the value of bankrupt firms' assets. □ [V n P ] If you asked me to add 2 and 2, I would not have the brain power to work it out.

3 PHRASAL VERB If something works out at a particular amount, it is calculated to be that amount after all the facts and figures have been considered. □ [V P + at ] The price per pound works out at £3.20. □ [V P adj] It will probably work out cheaper to hire a van and move your own things.

4 PHRASAL VERB If a situation works out well or works out , it happens or progresses in a satisfactory way. □ [V P prep/adv] Things just didn't work out as planned. □ [V P ] One of the ways people experience loss is when relationships don't work out.

5 PHRASAL VERB If a process works itself out , it reaches a conclusion or satisfactory end. □ [V pron-refl P ] People involved in it think it's a nightmare, but I'm sure it will work itself out.

6 PHRASAL VERB If you work out your service or your notice, you continue to work at your job until you have completed a specified period of time. □ [V P n] There was an interim before her successor actually came because she had to work out her notice. [Also V n P ]

7 PHRASAL VERB If you work out , you do physical exercises in order to make your body fit and strong. □ [V P ] Work out at a gym or swim twice a week.

8 → see also workout

▸  work up

1 PHRASAL VERB If you work yourself up , you make yourself feel very upset or angry about something. □ [V pron-refl P + into/to ] She worked herself up into a bit of a state. □ [V pron-refl P ] Don't just lie there working yourself up, do something about it.

2 → see also worked up

3 PHRASAL VERB If you work up the enthusiasm or courage to do something, you succeed in making yourself feel it. □ [V P n] Your creative talents can also be put to good use, if you can work up the energy.

4 PHRASAL VERB If you work up a sweat or an appetite, you make yourself sweaty or hungry by doing exercise or hard work. □ [V P n] You can really work up a sweat doing housework.

5 PHRASAL VERB If you work up something such as a piece of writing, you spend time and effort preparing it. □ [V P n] I sketched the layout of a prototype store and worked up a business plan.

work|able /wɜː ^r kəb ^ə l/ ADJ A workable idea or system is realistic and practical, and likely to be effective. □  Investors can simply pay cash, but this isn't a workable solution in most cases.

worka|day /wɜː ^r kəde I / ADJ [usu ADJ n] Workaday means ordinary and not especially interesting or unusual. □  Enough of fantasy, the workaday world awaited him.

worka|hol|ic /wɜː kəhɒ l I k, [AM ] -hɔː l-/ (workaholics ) N‑COUNT A workaholic is a person who works most of the time and finds it difficult to stop working in order to do other things. [INFORMAL ]