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

At that point, they can bump up their investing rate.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

“I think that that bump up in the last 10 years still hasn’t been properly assimilated into the public conversation,” said Nathan Wilmers, a professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

A lower rupee could well help bump up India's exports competitiveness and in comparison to past crises, Delhi's comfortable forex cover gives it adequate cushion to tide over the crisis, experts say.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 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

“I’ll tell you. People only like the idea of fairies. When they bump up against a particular, real-as-corn fairy, there’s always trouble.”

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine