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stoke

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stoke something up

 

1. to poke or add fuel to a fire to make it burn hotter. Grandpa had to go down each winter morning to stoke the fire up. He stoked up the furnace every morning during the winter.

2. Sl. to start something, such as an engine. stoke this old car up so we can leave. stoke up your motorcycle and let's get going.

See also: stoke, up

stoke up

v.

1. To feed or stir some fire or furnace: Lee had to go down to the basement several times to stoke up the furnace. The fire started going out, so I stoked it up with some logs.

2. To make some emotion or conflict more violent; intensify something: The accusations stoked up the tension that already existed between the groups. The argument was winding down when your insensitive comments stoked it up again.

3. To eat heartily: The boxer stoked up before the fight in order to maintain his strength. The runner stoked up on carbohydrates the day before the race.

See also: stoke, up

stoke something up

tv. to start something, such as an engine. Stoke up your motorcycle and let’s get going.

See also: stoke, up