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.

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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

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of step-up

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

Example Sentences

But, if you give your daughter this house before you and your husband die, she would take your cost basis rather than receiving a step-up to current market value.

From MarketWatch

The WSJ Fitness Challenge is a six-week program of step-up exercises designed for people of all ages and fitness levels who want to take their workouts up a notch.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you sell this house, she’d lose her step-up in basis.

From MarketWatch

“Data centers and AI are projected to drive a big step-up in electricity demand this decade, which is exactly why ‘grid tech’ has become a real market theme,” he says.

From MarketWatch

If you give your children these homes before you and your husband pass away, they would take your cost basis rather than receiving a step-up to current market value.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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