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

The Provisional IRA - the main armed republican paramilitary group for most of the Troubles - declared a ceasefire in the run up to the agreement and officially ended its violent campaign in 2005.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

On Thursday, Hertz shares had run up 9.2%, and were up 20.8% amid a four-day win streak.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

The huge run up in memory stocks and increasing investment means investors are sensibly wary of anything that might indicate the cycle will turn and lead to a glut.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

She was told in the run up to the March 3 meeting that she needed to bring her two children for a routine check-in to update the photos Immigration and Customs Enforcement had of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

I ask Mom if it’s okay if I run up to Nora’s apartment to tell her, and she says it’s fine.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

Related Words

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