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
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(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:
Inherited property benefits from a step-up in cost basis—meaning the heir owes capital-gains taxes only on the growth of the property’s value starting on the time of the owner’s death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 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
There's plenty of scope for Indian farmers to step-up production.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
The step-up in cost basis can be extremely valuable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
The current is derived directly from the engine, and the remaining things needed are a small step-up transformer, a key and a few other small parts.
From Tom Swift and His Wireless Message: or, the castaways of Earthquake island by Victor [pseud.] Appleton
EU consumer protection chief Michael McGrath has previously said the new rules aim to "step up our fight against unfair commercial practices", pointing to data that shows 97 percent of popular platforms use dark patterns.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026
“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
He was amazing in those huge, huge games where you want your best players to step up.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
When Doncic drove, Kessler knew to step up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Half an hour later, I step up to the mic and put the headphones over my ears.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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
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
One section of circuits is often modeled after CrossFit, with exercises such as step-ups, medicine-ball tosses and squats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2016
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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.
