stepped up; stepping up; steps up
1
: to increase, augment, or advance especially by one or more steps
The team really stepped up their performance.
The enemy stepped up their attacks.
He also plans to step up efforts to headhunt for the best and brightest …—
Jerry Garrett
Jerry GarrettFactory production was stepped up in an effort to meet helicopter shortfalls.—Shelby L. Stanton
Shelby L. Stanton2
: to increase (a voltage) by means of a transformer
… the use of transformers to step up the voltage to very high levels …—Thomas P. Hughes
Thomas P. Hughes1
a
: to make the effort required to provide information, make a claim, volunteer, etc.
She stepped up to claim responsibility.
see also step up to the plate
b
: to succeed in meeting a challenge (as by increased effort or improved performance)
They just didn't have the guys to step up and make the big plays with the game on the line.—Peter King
Peter King2
: to undergo an increase
Business is stepping up.
3
: to receive a promotion
She stepped up to the position of general manager.
variants
or step up
plural step-ups or step ups
: an increase or advance (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental
Lower inflation will minimize cost-of-living step-ups for Social Security recipients …—Arthur M. Louis
Arthur M. LouisThis model will give them the quality step-up they want at a decent price …—Len Feldman
Len Feldman"… We expect a gradual step up in sales each quarter as 2021 progresses, followed by an extended period of growth starting in 2022."—Nick Stanage
Nick StanageSynonyms
Examples of step up in a Sentence
Verb
candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near
stepped up the pace to catch up with the others
Noun
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Recent Examples on the Web
NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
There were several election observers present who wanted to step up and help Montes, but election observers are not allowed to approach voters.
—Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Like the $1,499 step-up config, the base model comes with 16GB of memory and a 256GB solid-state drive.
—Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up 
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show current usage.
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Verb
Both defenses are stepping up after these teams combined for 79 points in their first matchup, which is the highest scoring game in the NFL so far this season.
—NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
There were several election observers present who wanted to step up and help Montes, but election observers are not allowed to approach voters.
—Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Cost of sales increased to $63.1 million from $48.1 million in the previous year, attributed to higher sales volumes and the amortization of inventory step-up from the Alimera acquisition.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Like the $1,499 step-up config, the base model comes with 16GB of memory and a 256GB solid-state drive.
—Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up
Dictionary Entries Near step up
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20up. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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