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• 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.

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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

Some political and industry observers said that both the federal and Alberta governments might be required to step up with additional funding to kick-start construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

However, Smith said she is leading the charge to get a pipeline built in the hope that a deal with Ottawa would persuade private-sector investors to step up and take over.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

"I am fearful that this is just the first of many... unless the government step up and do a bit more to support our smaller medium-sized businesses."

From BBC • May 13, 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

There was Eliza standing in line, waiting to step up onto her bus, and Naheed’s plan for apologizing to her seemed a hundred years in the past.

From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Related Words

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