step-up
adjective
effecting an increase.
step-up
American
[step-uhp]
/ ˈstɛpˌʌp /
Or
stepup
adjective
-
effecting an increase.
-
Electricity. serving to increase voltage.
a step-up transformer.
-
(of a lease) allowing for gradual rent increases to the highest amount permissible.
noun
-
step-ups
plural
step up
British
verb
-
(tr) to increase or raise by stages; accelerate
-
(intr) to make progress or effect an advancement; be promoted
-
-
baseball to move into batting position
-
to come forward and take responsibility for something
-
adjective
-
(of a transformer) increasing a low voltage applied to the primary winding to a higher voltage on the secondary winding Compare step down
-
informal involving a rise by stages
noun
step up
Idioms
-
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]
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of step-up
First recorded in 1890–95; adj., noun use of verb phrase step up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The expansion includes a significant step-up in operations in Texas, opening a new service center in Indiana, building a learning hub in Kansas, as well as launching additional infrastructure projects in Connecticut.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
He wants to make sure the younger spouse gets a proper step-up in basis and pays less in capital-gains taxes on property and equity holdings.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Jefferies estimates this represents a step-up in annual average revenue to A$192 million, from A$160 million.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
By gifting you the house, you received your mother’s tax basis rather than a step-up to its fair market value.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
Similarly, the word "booster" is now used for a step-up or voltage-raising transformer or dynamo, inserted in series with an electric supply main.
From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by John Ambrose Fleming
“Aperol needs to accelerate back towards double-digit levels so that growth can step up further,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
When Doncic drove, Kessler knew to step up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Whether it will arouse the consciences of enough to truly step up and stop this breach of trust is unknown.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
"But at some point the market doesn't step up and they falter. Some really good ones have lasted the course, but others have not and it's sad."
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
“How cool is it gonna look when you step up to the line for your million dollar shot and you chuck a brick?”
From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman
This can include lifting weights such as dumbbells, using gym machines or resistance bands, or using your own body weight in exercises such as squats, step-ups or press-ups.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
“We expect significant step-ups in paid subscription adoption given increasingly robust tools behind a pay wall.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Bryant said there are hundreds of exercises you can do on a playground, from step-ups to tricep dips.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 2, 2024
The signs point to several short-term factors coming together all at once — trade logjams, a surge in post-pandemic demand for goods, limited step-ups in oil production, labor demands for a living wage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2021
To increase the intensity, he suggests performing lunges or step-ups with weights or a backpack.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2021
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
