build up : to increase or strengthen by adding gradually to ; to bolster ( american heritage dictionary ) bolster : to support or strengthen ( collins essential english dictionary ) put down : to belittle belittle : to represent or speak of as contemptibly small or unimportant ; to cause to seem less than another or little ( american heritage dictionary ) ; to treat as having little value or importance ( collins essential english dictionary ) the purpose of this exercise is to let each person experience what its like to build up or cut down something or someone and to be built up or put down by another person ; after participating in this exercise , each person should be able to recognize something that builds up versus something that puts down .