work oneself up
to allow oneself to become emotionally upset. Todd worked himself up, and I thought he would scream. Don't work yourself up over Sally. She's not worth it.
work oneself up
(to something) 1. . to prepare oneself with sufficient energy or courage to do something. I can't just walk in there and ask for a raise. I have to work myself up to it. I worked myself up and went into the boss's office.
2. and work one's way up (to something) to progress in one's work to a particular rank or status. I worked myself up to sergeant in no time at all. Claude worked his way up to master sergeant.