bump up
Britishverb
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Suddenly increase, as in Oil-producing nations decided to bump up the price of oil . This term is used mainly for prices or other figures. [ Colloquial ; 1930s]
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Give a promotion. For example, Kevin hoped to be bumped up to first class , or After five years, she expected they would bump her up to vice-president . [ Slang ; second half of 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That should allow his receivers more time to turn up the field and bump up their yards-after-catch numbers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The CMA's director of consumer protection, Hayley Fletcher, said extra charges can quickly bump up the price for families saving up for an affordable summer holiday.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
It would be an adjustment for someone accustomed to traditional Medicare to switch to an Advantage plan and bump up against these restrictions, says Louise Norris, health policy analyst at MedicareResources.org External link.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
To offset rising costs, such as climbing fuel prices, airlines often bump up luggage fees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
I think I was a seven then, and we had to bump up to an eight.
From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
