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9 1.3
Make an amount or level higher
  • verb
  • /ʌp/
translation icon : subir
  • A cup of frozen peaches ups your shake's vitamin C count by 235 mg.
  • up the ante
  • up the stakes
  • up your game

Slow down, you speed it up to three mph.

Examples

  • That really ups the resale value.

  • And it just really ups the excitement of the whole pregnancy.

    Blog text (19)
  • Whatever the Chinese offered to you, I'll up it by 5%.

  • Doing so ups my level of trust.

    Blog text (23)
  • And again, I think this could be something that really ups your profile, gets you more money.

  • Like with other social concepts, mobile significantly ups the ante for volume of information, location, and time.

    Blog text (15)
  • With CMCC hosting the conference tournament in February, that ups the ante a little more for this group.

    Blog text (32)
  • I understand today that a simple tablespoon of oil in a basket full of stir-fried vegetables ups the calorie count by 25%!

    Blog text (30)
  • There's an optional keyboard dock, which ups the ante with two USB ports, HDMI, and longer battery life.

    Blog text (32)
  • Changing your part from the middle to the side instantly ups the glam factor of any style.

Synonyms

to raise
vsto up
2.9

To make an amount, level, or value higher

is the broad, general verb for making amounts higher
to rise
vsto up
904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

focuses on causing an increase rather than simply rising naturally
to add to
vsto up
822 1.8

Make something larger in number, amount or degree

expresses the same increase but in the general sense
to escalate
vsto up
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

refers to increasing size or amount rather than seriousness only
to build up
vsto up
207 3.0

Increase slowly over time

covers increases whether sudden or gradual rather than gradual only
to elevate
vsto up
128 3.9

To move something to a higher place or level

is the everyday action of increasing amounts or intensity
to step up
vsto up
74 3.4

Make something greater in amount, speed or strength

describes a general increase without implying planned escalation
to ramp up
vsto up
47 4.1

To increase something, especially its amount or speed

is a general increase not limited to technical or business use
to drive up
vsto up
39 3.9

To make prices rise to a higher level, often quickly

describes increasing but without the sense of causing a jump
to crank up
vsto up
  • Informal
39 3.8

To increase the level or strength of something, for example volume, production

is a general increase not tied to machines or sudden boosts
to hike
vsto up
25 3.6

To raise a price or fee suddenly by a large amount

is the broader verb for making amounts higher without size focus
to bump up
vsto up
23 3.4

To raise prices or amounts by a lot

means raising generally without implying suddenness or size
to jack up
vsto up
  • Informal
12 5.9

To raise prices or rent suddenly by a lot

means increasing generally without stressing sudden large jumps
to scale up
vsto up
9 3.9

Increase the size or amount of something so it still works well

is the simple act of increasing without preserving scale or balance
to hike up
vsto up
3 4.8

Raise prices or fees suddenly by a large amount

covers rising or raising without implying a sudden large change
to heighten
vsto up
2 3.8

To make something higher, like a fence or bridge

means increasing amounts or levels generally rather than height only

Antonyms

1.0

At a lower level or amount than before

Idioms

what's up
  • Informal
554 7.2

A friendly question asking how someone is or what they are doing

up to
  • Informal
514 2.8

Busy doing something, often secret or causing trouble

241 2.8

Good enough to do something

235 5.1

Facing a difficult problem you must deal with

208 1.9

Moving both ways along the whole length of something

130 4.0

Busy with something and cannot do other things

fed up
  • Informal
121 3.6

Annoyed, bored, or tired because you have had too much of something

99 3.6

Payment made before work starts or words that are honest and direct

Working properly after it is started or fixed

fed up with
  • Informal
83 3.9

Feeling annoyed or bored because something has gone on too long

wrapped up
  • Informal
62 4.8

Very interested and completely involved in something

first up
  • Informal
52 3.7

To say which person or thing comes first

A repeated movement where both feet leave the ground to show excitement

33 3.6

Available for anyone to claim or win

worked up
  • Informal
33 6.5

Very upset or nervous because of strong feelings

32 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

31 4.7

Not yet decided or settled

30 6.9

Cannot sleep at night because you are worried

30 1.6

Before now, until the present moment

cooped up
  • Informal
28 5.5

Being kept in a small space makes you restless and unhappy

25 6.1

Very angry and protesting about something they think is unfair

To build something completely from the very beginning

22 6.9

Become completely destroyed or lost suddenly, often by fire

wound up
  • Informal
21 5.2

Feeling very nervous and unable to relax

up to no good
  • Informal
19 7.4

Acting in a secret or suspicious way to do something wrong

19 3.8

To get ready to do hard work

up to something
  • Informal
19 7.0

Doing something secret that may be wrong or harmful

18 5.5

Plans or hopes suddenly fail and disappear for good

it's up to you
  • Informal
17 3.0

The person you are talking to decides what to do

on the up-and-up
  • Informal
16 7.7

Honest and legal

chin up
  • Informal
15 7.1

Stay positive and keep going when things are difficult

15 6.5

To be wrong about who or what caused something

15 6.5

Raise both hands to show you feel frustrated or give up

12 3.4

To become friendly again after an argument

Decide or think of things during a situation without planning ahead

10 5.6

Not able to work because you are sick or injured and must stay in bed

hard up
  • Informal
10 8.0

Having very little money and struggling to pay bills

straight up
  • Jargon
9 7.6

A drink that is shaken or stirred with ice but served without ice

9 9.0

To no longer accept something annoying or unfair

pumped up
  • Informal
8 5.1

Very excited and full of energy because something good is about to happen

8 7.7

As good or impressive as people say

8 6.7

Act as if everything is fine in front of other people

8 6.5

To stay cheerful and hopeful when things go wrong

dolled up
  • Informal
7 6.9

Dressed in fancy clothes and makeup for a special event

Do what you promised in an agreement

up against it
  • Informal
7 8.0

In a difficult situation with little time or help

belly-up
  • Informal
6 7.1

A company or shop that is not operating because it has no money

6 7.7

Tell someone to do what they say or stop talking

up the river
  • Informal
6 8.5

In trouble and not able to fix the situation

up to here
  • Informal
5 7.4

Someone who has no more patience because of many annoying things

Try to have the same things and life as neighbors to appear successful

4 8.1

To die or stop working after a long time of problems

Phrasal Verbs

2.8

To finally reach a place or situation without planning it

1.0

To stop sleeping or make someone else stop sleeping

2.5

To get something from a store or give someone a ride

1.3

To change from a child into an adult

1.4

To be seen or arrive at a place

to shut up
  • Offensive
4.1

Tell someone to be quiet in a rude or angry way

1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

2.7

To think of an idea or plan

2.6

To learn or notice something often by chance

1.0

To leave your bed after sleeping

3.2

To think of an idea or plan

983 2.7

To assemble and prepare equipment or objects so they are ready to use

972 3.2

Invent a story or excuse that is not true

896 2.6

To be mentioned in a discussion

834 1.0

To lift something or someone from the ground with your hands

788 2.6

To mention a subject for discussion

695 1.0

To stand up from sitting or lying down

683 3.7

To stop doing something you once did

683 3.4

To make something begin, for example a business

to break up
  • Informal
678 2.6

End a relationship with someone, for example a romantic or business partner

to screw up
  • Informal
641 6.3

To make a mistake that ruins what you are doing

to hurry up
  • Informal
637 1.0

To move or act more quickly to avoid being late

to mess up
  • Informal
597 2.8

To make a mistake that causes a problem

571 2.2

To move from below to a higher place, like a diver rising to the surface

559 1.0

To get up from sitting or lying and be on your feet

534 2.7

To cause something to explode violently

to wind up
  • Informal
523 4.3

Finally be in a place or situation you did not plan

520 1.7

To move closer to a person or place

507 2.8

To continue at the same speed or level as others

454 1.5

To become higher in price or amount

442 1.0

To move to a higher position

433 1.0

To make a room or area free of dirt and tidy by removing mess

to break up with
  • Informal
417 3.4

To end a romantic relationship with someone

408 1.3

To join an activity or service by giving your name

405 2.5

End a phone call by putting the phone down

389 2.7

To reach the same level as others after falling behind

363 2.3

To hand a job or control you have to someone else

357 1.4

To find information about something in a book, list, or online

up for
  • Informal
354 3.9

Willing to join an activity or be chosen for a job

354 3.0

Help someone or show evidence for an idea

to clean up
  • Informal
333 2.7

To finish dealing with things and put them in order

314 3.7

To hide something so people cannot see or find out about it

300 4.0

Put someone or something in a place where they cannot leave, for example a jail

to throw up
  • Informal
296 2.3

To push food and drink out of your stomach through your mouth

293 3.2

To defend yourself when someone treats you unfairly

288 4.3

To accept something unpleasant without complaining

to beat up
  • Offensive
271 4.1

To attack someone by hitting them again and again to hurt them

to come up
  • Specialized
262 3.5

To start working after being switched on

256 2.7

Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly

to stay up
  • Informal
253 2.4

To be awake later than usual

252 2.8

Do work you missed to catch up

239 2.7

Be the parts that form a whole

to back up
  • Specialized
238 2.7

Move backwards to make space or avoid something

to cheer up
  • Informal
234 1.4

To feel happier after being sad or to make someone feel happier

226 3.0

Finish an activity or task

224 3.5

To meet what people expect of you

224 3.4

To begin a job, activity, or hobby

222 3.0

To continue to be correct when people check it

221 1.0

To make someone leave their bed or stand up

213 3.7

To connect devices so they work together

209 2.5

To phone someone

207 3.0

Increase slowly over time

207 3.7

Make something available for people to use

to fuck up
  • Offensive
203 9.9

To make a serious mistake that ruins something

197 3.6

To take further action after something starts to make sure it finishes or succeeds

190 2.0

To complete an activity or task

184 2.2

To go up to someone to speak to them

182 3.7

Take action and accept responsibility for a task or problem

179 3.5

To use a large part of time, space, or attention

178 2.7

Put on special clothes for an event or to look attractive

177 2.0

To appear after being lost or when not expected

172 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

172 3.5

To learn about the latest news or trends

Compounds

cover-up
  • Literature
137 5.5

An attempt to hide a crime or scandal from the public

131 2.3

A person who is an adult, not a child

close-up
  • Specialized
125 3.4

A photograph or film shot that shows small details from very close

100 3.2

Stopping trying because you think you cannot succeed

95 1.0

A time when you stop sleeping and become awake

93 3.1

Modern and having the latest information, style, or technology

82 2.7

Wearing special formal clothes for a party or event

78 3.9

An action to check progress after an earlier activity

70 1.0

Work that removes dirt and rubbish from a place

heads-up
  • Informal
60 4.1

A quick warning that something will happen

57 3.1

A work that continues an earlier book or project

53 3.3

A mistake that happens when someone confuses one thing with another

47 2.7

A person or team that finishes second in an event

46 2.7

A hand gesture that shows approval by raising the thumb

42 3.4

Having the latest style or information

36 2.0

Things people put on their face or body to change how they look

stand-up
  • Jargon
35 3.7

A short meeting where team members stand and give brief updates about work

35 2.7

Light exercise you do before harder activity to get your body ready

screw-up
  • Informal
33 6.1

A careless mistake that causes problems or embarrassment

hang-up
  • Informal
30 6.8

An emotional problem that makes someone feel nervous or unable to act normally

30 4.0

Likely to become successful or popular soon

26 4.2

A drink or small activity that makes you feel more energetic when tired

25 3.0

A doctor's appointment to check recovery after treatment

screw-up
  • Offensive
22 7.0

A person who often makes mistakes in important situations

write-up
  • Literature
21 3.9

A short article that describes an event, often in a newspaper or magazine

20 2.3

At a great height above the ground

toss-up
  • Informal
20 6.2

A situation where two results have the same chance

20 2.5

A visit to a doctor to check your general health

20 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

19 4.3

A desk or counter you use while standing rather than sitting

18 3.5

Caring for a child and teaching them how to behave

18 3.4

An event that makes people realize they must act or change what they do

18 3.5

An event that takes place later to replace one cancelled or missed

16 5.9

A sudden rise in prices or values over a short time

16 5.9

An unexpected problem that stops progress in a plan or process

15 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

15 4.3

A major change in how people run an organization

bang-up job
  • Informal
15 4.2

A piece of work that is done very well

leg up
  • Informal
14 3.4

A form of help or small advantage that makes reaching a goal easier

13 3.7

A small careless mistake you make by accident

12 3.8

An event that pairs two sides, like sports teams, to compete

12 3.0

A form where people write their names to join an activity

11 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

11 6.0

A person who is becoming successful and well known

mock-up
  • Specialized
10 4.8

A full size model of something to test or show it

get-up
  • Informal
10 5.6

A set of clothes worn to attract attention or to hide who you are

10 4.1

A service that adjusts and checks an engine so it runs better

The latest information available now

mess-up
  • Informal
9 5.1

A situation that is badly organized and full of mistakes

9 1.7

Made warm or hot by cooking, for example in a microwave

9 6.0

A way that starts with small parts and moves to the whole

catch-up
  • Informal
9 3.3

An informal meeting to share news and updates

9 4.8

Removing earth to uncover something buried, like an old object or body

pop-up
  • Texting
8 3.8

A shop that opens in one place for a short time

blowing up
  • Informal
8 6.7

An angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

8 3.1

Wearing a lot of warm clothes because of cold weather

call up
  • Formal
8 6.4

An official order telling someone to report for military service

8 3.9

A small repair to make something look better

7 3.4

A small window that suddenly appears on your computer screen

heads-up
  • Informal
7 5.2

Fully alert and ready to act quickly

7 3.9

An exercise where you hang from a bar and pull your chin above it

6 3.6

A time of work to reach the same level after falling behind

6 2.3

An exercise where you lie on your back and lift your upper body to strengthen stomach muscles

6 3.6

Made larger than the original photo

5 7.1

A person with an important job in an organization

5 3.0

People take care of it so it stays in good condition

5 3.7

To fasten a boat to a dock with ropes

foul-up
  • Informal
5 7.7

A serious, embarrassing mistake often caused by confusion or poor planning

lay-up
  • Jargon
5 3.4

A close shot near the basket in basketball made with one hand, often off the backboard

An egg fried on one side with the yolk still runny on top

5 3.7

Spending or eating something until none remains

5 4.3

Bringing up food, phlegm or blood from the throat by coughing

5 2.7

A phone call arranged to wake someone at a set time

How Much

to skyrocket
52 4.1
to escalate
220 5.5
to boost
265 2.5
to up
9 1.3
to increase
1.0

Surface Forms

up infinitive
upped past
upped past participle
upping present participle
ups third person singular

Etymology

Up as a verb comes from the same old word for 'higher', so to 'up' something is to make it higher or increase it, like turning a volume knob up. This image of moving things 'up' helps explain why it means to raise or increase.