Jump to:

• step-up
  step-up

  adjective

  effecting an increase.
• step up
  step up

  verb

  (tr) to increase or raise by stages; accelerate

step-up

American  

[step-uhp] / ˈstɛpˌʌp /

Or stepup

adjective

1. effecting an increase.

2. Electricity. serving to increase voltage.

   a step-up transformer.

3. (of a lease) allowing for gradual rent increases to the highest amount permissible.

---

noun

1. an increase or rise in the rate or quantity of something.

step up British  

verb

1. (tr) to increase or raise by stages; accelerate

2. (intr) to make progress or effect an advancement; be promoted

3. 1. baseball to move into batting position

   2. to come forward and take responsibility for something

---

adjective

1. (of a transformer) increasing a low voltage applied to the primary winding to a higher voltage on the secondary winding Compare step down

2. informal involving a rise by stages

noun

1. informal an increment in quantity, size, etc

step up Idioms  

1. Increase, especially in stages, as in We've got to step up production . [Early 1900s] Also see step down , def. 2.

2. Come forward, as in Step up to the podium, folks, and I'll show you how it works . [Mid-1600s]

---

Etymology

Origin of step-up

First recorded in 1890–95; adj., noun use of verb phrase step up

Example Sentences

“We need to step up our game in terms of communicating with communities. I think we’re seeing that more and more across the industry.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

All in all, it is a sizeable step up for England.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

China's top diplomat urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and help to "properly" address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media said.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Her garment, a one-piece tracksuit made of a French terry fabric by Alexander McQueen, dresses athleisure one step up with horizontal yellow accents across the chest and ruching up the sleeves.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Boomer’s tail starts going nuts when we step up to the door.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• boost
• escalate
• hasten
• improve
• increase
• intensify
• quicken
• raise
• speed