run up

verb

1. to amass or accumulate; incur

   to run up debts

2. to make by sewing together quickly

   to run up a dress

3. to hoist

   to run up a flag

noun

1. an approach run by an athlete for a long jump, pole vault, etc

2. a preliminary or preparatory period

   the run-up to the election

Idioms and Phrases

Make or become greater or larger, as in That offer will run up the price of the stock . [Late 1500s]

Accumulate, as in She ran up huge bills at the florist . [First half of 1700s]

Sew rapidly, as in I can run up some new curtains for the kitchen . [Mid-1800s]

Raise a flag, as in Let's run up the flag in time for the holiday . This usage, originating in the navy about 1900, gave rise to the slangy phrase, Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes , meaning, “Let's try this out.” The latter originated about 1960 as advertising jargon.

Related Words

• assemble 
• construct 
• create 
• found 
• hoist 
• initiate 
• mount 
• organize 
• put up 
• raise 
• set up 
• stand