step-up

Or step·up

[step-uhp]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of step up¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

Related Words

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