run up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Accumulate a debt, bill or score quickly
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“He ran up a huge bar tab.”
“The team ran up a big score.”
Don't confuse with
Run up means make a bill or score grow quickly. Run out means use all of a supply.
Test yourself
“He ran up a huge bar tab.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
run out
A contrast learners often mix up
Use up the supply of something; (of a contract, lease or document) reach the end of its valid period; Run out of a building or room; Reject and force someone to leave a place
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
build up
Same up pattern: increase
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
dress up
Same up pattern: increase
Put on smart or formal clothes; Wear a costume, often imitating someone or something; Make something look more attractive or impressive than it is
get up
Same up pattern: increase
Rise from bed or a seat; Move to a standing position; Increase in strength
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “run up”.
Practice “run up” in Sink In
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