Phrase guide

step up

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To increase, augment, or advance, especially by one or more steps.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonym: level up
  • They will need to step up production if they are going to compete.
  • Step up your shower game!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: level up

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To assume or take responsibility.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • Won't anyone step up to the challenge?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: volunteer, offer

Antonyms: step aside, step down

3

verb

Meaning 3

increase in extent or intensity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The Allies escalated the bombing

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: escalate, intensify

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: increase

Narrower terms: redouble

4

verb

Meaning 4

speed up

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • let's rev up production

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rev up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: increase

5

verb

Meaning 5

make oneself visible; take action

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Young people should step to the fore and help their peers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: come to the fore, step forward, come forward, step to the fore, come out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, move

History

Etymology

Ellipsis of step up to the plate (“take one's turn at bat, take responsibility”).

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: apressar — to increase speed or rate
  • Dutch: versnellen — to increase speed or rate
  • Dutch: verhogen — to increase speed or rate
  • Finnish: nopeuttaa — to increase speed or rate
  • Finnish: kiihdyttää — to increase speed or rate
  • French: accroître — to increase speed or rate
  • French: augmenter — to increase speed or rate
  • Greek: εντείνω (enteíno) — to increase speed or rate
  • Ido: acelerar — to increase speed or rate
  • Polish: wzmagać — to increase speed or rate
  • Polish: przyspieszyć — to increase speed or rate
  • Russian: нарастить (narastitʹ) — to increase speed or rate
  • Russian: поднажать (podnažatʹ) — to increase speed or rate
  • Spanish: aumentar — to increase speed or rate
  • Spanish: redoblar — to increase speed or rate
  • Spanish: extremar — to increase speed or rate
  • Swedish: steppa upp — to increase speed or rate
  • Finnish: ottaa vastuulleen — to assume responsibility
  • Finnish: ottaa tehtäväkseen — to assume responsibility
  • Finnish: ottaa haaste vastaan — to assume responsibility
  • Finnish: tarttua haasteeseen — to assume responsibility
  • Russian: вызваться (vyzvatʹsja) — to assume responsibility
  • Russian: взяться (vzjatʹsja) — to assume responsibility
  • Spanish: dar un paso adelante — to assume responsibility