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.

Example Sentences

The killer's brother, Dion, was said to have had "limited interaction" with his younger sibling in the years running up to the attack.

From BBC

He is predicting that strong sales in the second half of the financial year, particularly in the run up to Christmas, will allow the company to post a profit in its full-year results.

From BBC

It is possible that a hospital rated highly for clinical care will be marked down if they are running up a larger than expected deficit.

From BBC

"My friend's little girl came running up to me and said, 'Look what's landed on me' and a white feather had landed on her, so I just felt like he was here on the day."

From BBC

People are running up the incline towards the scene of the crash.

From BBC

Related Words

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