fatten

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fat|ten /f'ætən/ (fattens fattening fattened)
1 [VERB] be V-ed, V, also V n
If an animal is fattened, or if it fattens, it becomes fatter as a result of eating more.
The cattle are being fattened for slaughter...
The creature continued to grow and fatten.
2 [VERB] V n
If you say that someone is fattening something such as a business or its profits, you mean that they are increasing the value of the business or its profits, in a way that you disapprove of. (BUSINESS)
They have kept the price of sugar artificially high and so fattened the company's profits.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Fatten up means the same as fatten.
The Government is making the taxpayer pay to fatten up a public sector business for private sale.fatten up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To fatten up an animal or person means to make them fatter, by forcing or encouraging them to eat more food.
They fattened up ducks and geese...
You're too skinny-we'll have to fatten you up.
see also fatten 2

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