step up

"Step up" is a versatile idiomatic phrase used to describe actions involving increased effort, responsibility, or intensity.

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Definition

B2General

(idiomatic)To take on a greater role or responsibility, often in response to a need or challenge.

Example

  • When the manager left, she stepped up to lead the team.
  • It's time for you to step up and take responsibility.

B2General

(idiomatic)To increase the level, intensity, or amount of something.

Example

  • The company decided to step up its marketing efforts.
  • He stepped up his training routine to prepare for the marathon.

B2General

(idiomatic)To improve or enhance one's performance or efforts.

Example

  • You need to step up your game if you want to win the competition.
  • She stepped up her efforts to learn a new language.

C1Electrical Engineering

(technical)A device that increases a low voltage to a higher voltage.

Example

  • A step-up transformer is essential for long-distance electricity transmission.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "step up":

step instep forwardstep tomove upstep onstand upjump uprise upman upstep offleg upin stepstep outstep overget on upstep on itup the antehot upgo upkick uphop upnut uptrade upamp upget upstep backone uprise to the occasionbig upshape uptake it to the next levelgee upstep downhead upget it upscale upramp upante uplevel upboss uprise aboveswitch uppipe upcowboy upstand up tolift upgear upcome up towork upbump upstick upmove aheadstep climbget a leg upclimb upchange upspeak upstand up withplay upon the upcome upstiff upgen upstay upget up infight upstep danceturn uppump upset upjack uppower upmove forwardhike upraise the stakespull upstep charttake uptool upfront upsuit upsex uptalk upjump insize upcrease upsit upsend upconnect upkeep upstep asidenext levelstep by stepchoose upgo upstairsput upbuild upsmarten upturn up the heatbull upback upcrank upage uptee uphem upbitch uppimp upbrace upgrow upup a heightup forstand up and be countedrun upspark upstack upstand income forwardmake a movejump onup lineamped upstop upsaddle uptwo steps aheadget up the yardhit upwork one's way upbuck upspeed upperk uppush upset the stagestand onvamp uptake the leadbutch upgo up forgun upflex upstart upknuckle upstepping backstep ladderride upride up on