warmer-up —(pl. warmers-up)
1. a preliminary item designed to put an audience in a receptive mood:
- As a “warmer-up” the concert began with a rather pedestrian rendering of the Hebrides overture.
2. (also: warm-up man) a presenter of a preliminary item designed to prepare an audience for another—more famous—performer:
- As so often it is the warmers-up (in this case Gordon and Bunny Jay) who do the hard work.
3. (coll.) a stimulating drink:
- Would you like a warmer up? There’s a gentleman at the bar who would like to buy you a drink.
warmer-upper— = warmer-up 3:
- The weather is just an excuse to pop into a bar or cafe to have a warmer-upper.