step up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Increase effort or pace
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“You'll have to step up your training.”
“The hospital stepped up cleaning after the outbreak.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“You'll have to step up your training.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
step down
A contrast learners often mix up
Resign from an important position
step in
A contrast learners often mix up
Become involved in a difficult situation to help
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
get up
Same up pattern: increase
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position; Increase in strength
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