Each day during the 2014 World Cup the languagecaster team will be explaining a key word or phrase for learners of English. With three days to go until the start of the tournament we feature the word ‘warm up‘.Warm up
The phrase ‘warm up‘ is used to describe the preparation of a player or team before they start a match or participate in a competition (to warm up). A team can play warm up matches before a big tournament in order to better prepare for it. These warm up games are like friendly games – there is nothing to play for – but they are useful as they can help players and managers to acclimatise to conditions, improve team work and tactics and build confidence.
- Example: The substitutes were warming up for a long time before they were asked to go on to the pitch.
- Example: England drew two of their warm-up matches before the tournament started
