run up

British  

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

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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

run up Idioms  

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

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

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

4. 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.

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Example Sentences

But United levelled the tie just two minutes later through centre-back Godwill Kukonki's marauding run up the pitch before finishing the move by thumping home a powerful header in from Jim Thwaites' cross-field pass.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

However, the sudden run up in cocoa prices is also a reminder of how volatile cocoa markets can be after the wild ride of the last few years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Advanced Micro Devices shares have run up on optimism for the company’s server central processing units, but one analyst now isn’t sure that it will be able to recognize much more upside from the trend.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

He used only a six-step run up at Mt.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

“I had to run up and wash. I was playing tennis when the bell rang. Won’t you sit down?”

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

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