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.
But Ossoff’s remark also commanded attention, feeding a boomlet that helped bump up his standing in polls of the hypothetical 2028 presidential primary.
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
The results prompted the enterprise software company to bump up its full-year sales and profit forecasts, factoring in a boost in organic growth as well as acquisitions it expects to close this quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
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
In 2009 the city council identified Robroyston and nearby Millerston as a community growth area, complete with a masterplan to bump up housing and infrastructure accompanying this.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
