bump up

British  

verb

1. informal (tr, adverb) to raise or increase

   prices are being bumped up daily

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bump up Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

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Example Sentences

“Also seeing a big bump up is the Space Force. Its request of $71.2 billion represents a 77% year over year increase.”

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

It got a bump up to a record close of $248.04 on March 2, the first trading day after the start of the conflict, but has fallen 7% since then.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Another factor is how the bump up from energy prices feeds into consumer inflation expectations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

United Airlines helped re-route Calderón to Nicaragua — and the airline did bump up his seat to first class to make up for the mix-up.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

“It’s learning what others have discovered about the world, and then—when you bump up against a question that no one has ever answered before—figuring out how to get the answer you need.”

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin