Warm-up

A brief preparatory activity that readies the body, mind, or audience.

Reach for it when naming an opening exercise before the main effort or performance

The rehearsal began with a vocal warm-up that loosened every tense jaw.

• playful

  opener

  when the first item sets a mood for what follows

  not when An opener may be a complete performance rather than preparation.

• everyday

  limbering-up

  when physical mobility is the specific purpose

  not when Limbering-up does not fit a mental exercise or opening act.

• professional

  preparation

  when all readiness work is being described broadly

  not when Preparation can take days and includes planning, equipment, and research.

• professional

  rehearsal

  when practicing the actual performance is intended

  not when A rehearsal tests material and coordination; a warm-up simply gets participants ready.

• formal

  primer

  when a short introduction supplies necessary basic knowledge

  not when Primer teaches foundations and is not usually an activity that raises readiness.

• cool-down
• finale
• inactivity

• quick warm-up

  A quick warm-up helped the panelists settle before the live discussion.

• warm-up exercise

  The warm-up exercise asked each student to sketch the problem from memory.

• proper warm-up

  A proper warm-up gradually raised the runners' effort instead of exhausting them.