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to up

to up

∞ 1.3
Make an amount or level higher
  • verb
  • /ʌp/
: 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 add to
vsto up
∞ 1.8

Make something larger in number, amount or degree

expresses the same increase but in the general sense
to rise
vsto up
630 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

focuses on causing an increase rather than simply rising naturally
to build up
vsto up
426 3.0

Increase slowly over time

covers increases whether sudden or gradual rather than gradual only
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 step up
vsto up
125 3.4

Make something greater in amount, speed or strength

describes a general increase without implying planned escalation
to elevate
vsto up
122 3.9

To move something to a higher place or level

is the everyday action of increasing amounts or intensity
to ramp up
vsto up
64 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
52 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
50 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 bump up
vsto up
33 3.4

To raise prices or amounts by a lot

means raising generally without implying suddenness or size
to hike
vsto up
29 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 jack up
vsto up
  • Informal
25 5.9

To raise prices or rent suddenly by a lot

means increasing generally without stressing sudden large jumps
to scale up
vsto up
18 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
4 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
1 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
∞ 7.2

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

634 2.8

Good enough to do something

up to
  • Informal
527 2.8

Busy doing something, often secret or causing trouble

423 1.9

Moving both ways along the whole length of something

343 5.1

Facing a difficult problem you must deal with

it's up to you
  • Informal
161 3.0

The person you are talking to decides what to do

fed up
  • Informal
125 3.6

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

112 3.6

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

108 3.7

Working properly after it is started or fixed

worked up
  • Informal
93 6.5

Very upset or nervous because of strong feelings

93 4.0

Busy with something and cannot do other things

fed up with
  • Informal
81 3.9

Feeling annoyed or bored because something has gone on too long

first up
  • Informal
69 3.7

To say which person or thing comes first

up to something
  • Informal
62 7.0

Doing something secret that may be wrong or harmful

wrapped up
  • Informal
55 4.8

Very interested and completely involved in something

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

42 3.6

Available for anyone to claim or win

wound up
  • Informal
36 5.2

Feeling very nervous and unable to relax

35 3.2

At or towards a place above something

33 1.6

Before now, until the present moment

32 4.7

Not yet decided or settled

chin up
  • Informal
30 7.1

Stay positive and keep going when things are difficult

up to no good
  • Informal
29 7.4

Acting in a secret or suspicious way to do something wrong

29 6.9

Become completely destroyed or lost suddenly, often by fire

28 6.1

Very angry and protesting about something they think is unfair

28 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

cooped up
  • Informal
28 5.5

Being kept in a small space makes you restless and unhappy

To build something completely from the very beginning

27 6.9

Cannot sleep at night because you are worried

pumped up
  • Informal
24 5.1

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

21 7.5

Getting better and more successful

up to here
  • Informal
19 7.4

Someone who has no more patience because of many annoying things

on the up-and-up
  • Informal
19 7.7

Honest and legal

18 5.5

Plans or hopes suddenly fail and disappear for good

15 3.4

To become friendly again after an argument

15 9.9

A very rude way to tell someone you strongly refuse their idea or order

14 6.5

To be wrong about who or what caused something

dolled up
  • Informal
13 6.9

Dressed in fancy clothes and makeup for a special event

12 7.7

As good or impressive as people say

11 6.7

Act as if everything is fine in front of other people

10 9.0

To no longer accept something annoying or unfair

the jig is up
  • Informal
10 9.5

Their plan to trick people is discovered so they cannot continue

9 5.6

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

hard up
  • Informal
9 8.0

Having very little money and struggling to pay bills

8 7.7

Tell someone to do what they say or stop talking

straight up
  • Jargon
8 7.6

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

surf's up
  • Informal
8 9.1

The waves are good for riding on a surfboard

what's up Doc
  • Informal
7 9.6

A friendly joking greeting that asks how someone is, copying Bugs Bunny

coked up
  • NSFW
7 9.9

Feeling very excited or distracted after taking cocaine

up against it
  • Informal
7 8.0

In a difficult situation with little time or help

up the wazoo
  • Offensive
6 9.9

In very large amounts

up the river
  • Informal
6 8.5

In trouble and not able to fix the situation

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 2.8

To finally reach a place or situation without planning it

∞ 2.5

To get something from a store or give someone a ride

∞ 1.0

To stop sleeping or make someone else stop sleeping

∞ 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

∞ 3.2

To think of an idea or plan

∞ 2.7

To think of an idea or plan

∞ 2.6

To be mentioned in a discussion

∞ 2.7

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

∞ 2.3

To hand a job or control you have to someone else

∞ 1.0

To lift something or someone from the ground with your hands

∞ 1.0

To move to a higher position

∞ 1.0

To stand up from sitting or lying down

∞ 1.7

To move closer to a person or place

to break up
  • Informal
968 2.6

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

938 3.2

To defend yourself when someone treats you unfairly

908 2.8

To continue at the same speed or level as others

873 3.4

To make something begin, for example a business

to screw up
  • Informal
850 6.3

To make a mistake that ruins what you are doing

841 1.0

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

824 3.2

Invent a story or excuse that is not true

804 2.7

To cause something to explode violently

776 2.6

To learn or notice something often by chance

to mess up
  • Informal
755 2.8

To make a mistake that causes a problem

752 2.6

To mention a subject for discussion

to fuck up
  • Offensive
690 9.9

To make a serious mistake that ruins something

642 2.5

Make something not closed, for example by removing a lock or cover

607 1.5

To become higher in price or amount

552 2.8

Do work you missed to catch up

548 1.3

To join an activity or service by giving your name

525 4.0

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

509 1.0

To leave your bed after sleeping

509 2.7

To reach the same level as others after falling behind

to hurry up
  • Informal
505 1.0

To move or act more quickly to avoid being late

to wind up
  • Informal
488 4.3

Finally be in a place or situation you did not plan

488 2.2

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

to back up
  • Specialized
477 2.7

Move backwards to make space or avoid something

to break up with
  • Informal
459 3.4

To end a romantic relationship with someone

454 3.7

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

to beat up
  • Offensive
451 4.1

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

427 3.6

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

426 3.0

Increase slowly over time

411 2.5

End a phone call by putting the phone down

397 2.6

Put people or things in a straight row

378 1.0

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

363 1.4

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

351 2.7

Put on special clothes for an event or to look attractive

343 6.2

To trick someone so they appear guilty by using false evidence

340 2.7

Be the parts that form a whole

332 3.0

Finish an activity or task

321 3.0

Help someone or show evidence for an idea

316 3.7

Make something available for people to use

up for
  • Informal
315 3.9

Willing to join an activity or be chosen for a job

313 2.4

Place a sign or notice so people can see it

to throw up
  • Informal
313 2.3

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

295 2.5

To phone someone

292 3.7

Take action and accept responsibility for a task or problem

290 2.0

To appear after being lost or when not expected

to hook up
  • NSFW
283 8.7

To meet someone for a brief romantic or sexual encounter

270 3.4

To begin a job, activity, or hobby

270 3.0

Build something like a wall or sign

265 4.3

To accept something unpleasant without complaining

265 2.8

To stop or slow down a vehicle at a place

261 2.7

Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly

to clean up
  • Informal
257 2.7

To finish dealing with things and put them in order

250 5.2

Involved in something you did not plan and cannot easily leave

To reach someone ahead of you, often passing them

244 3.5

Appear suddenly and briefly when you are not expecting it

244 2.0

To complete an activity or task

to stay up
  • Informal
239 2.4

To be awake later than usual

237 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

Compounds

cover-up
  • Literature
151 5.5

An attempt to hide a crime or scandal from the public

heads-up
  • Informal
148 4.1

A quick warning that something will happen

139 2.0

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

138 3.9

An action to check progress after an earlier activity

132 2.3

A person who is an adult, not a child

128 3.4

Having the latest style or information

110 4.3

A desk or counter you use while standing rather than sitting

close-up
  • Specialized
96 3.4

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

75 3.4

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

62 1.0

Work that removes dirt and rubbish from a place

60 2.7

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

60 2.7

A hand gesture that shows approval by raising the thumb

58 3.3

A mistake that happens when someone confuses one thing with another

55 2.7

A person or team that finishes second in an event

48 2.3

At a great height above the ground

46 2.7

Wearing special formal clothes for a party or event

44 3.1

Modern and having the latest information, style, or technology

43 7.1

A person with an important job in an organization

41 3.1

A work that continues an earlier book or project

38 4.0

Likely to become successful or popular soon

screw-up
  • Informal
34 6.1

A careless mistake that causes problems or embarrassment

33 3.0

A doctor's appointment to check recovery after treatment

31 2.5

A visit to a doctor to check your general health

leg up
  • Informal
30 3.4

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

28 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

28 3.8

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

27 3.6

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

toss-up
  • Informal
24 6.2

A situation where two results have the same chance

23 4.1

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

write-up
  • Literature
23 3.9

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

21 6.0

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

21 2.3

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

higher-up
  • Informal
20 4.2

A person with more power in a company or group

screw-up
  • Offensive
19 7.0

A person who often makes mistakes in important situations

hang-up
  • Informal
19 6.8

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

19 3.4

A small window that suddenly appears on your computer screen

16 4.2

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

16 3.0

A form where people write their names to join an activity

mock-up
  • Specialized
15 4.8

A full size model of something to test or show it

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

15 3.7

A small careless mistake you make by accident

14 4.2

The parts that form a person, group or thing

13 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

13 3.9

A small repair to make something look better

pop-up
  • Texting
12 3.8

A shop that opens in one place for a short time

12 3.5

Relating to joining something, used before a noun

12 6.0

A person who is becoming successful and well known

11 3.2

Placed so the top part faces up

The latest information available now

mess-up
  • Informal
10 5.1

A situation that is badly organized and full of mistakes

9 4.0

An object made into a tight tube, like a poster or snack

dial-up
  • Archaic
9 3.5

Relating to an internet connection that uses a telephone line and is usually very slow

8 3.9

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

8 5.9

A sudden rise in prices or values over a short time

call up
  • Formal
8 6.4

An official order telling someone to report for military service

8 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

8 4.6

A toy that moves after you turn a key or handle

frame-up
  • Informal
8 8.7

An act of falsely accusing someone by making fake evidence against them

get-up
  • Informal
8 5.6

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

hyped up
  • Informal
8 8.0

People make it seem more exciting or important than it is

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

heads-up
  • Informal
7 5.2

Fully alert and ready to act quickly

6 3.5

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

lay-up
  • Jargon
5 3.4

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

5 3.2

Stopping trying because you think you cannot succeed

pin-up
  • NSFW
5 7.5

A picture of an attractive person or the person shown

foul-up
  • Informal
5 7.7

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

5 8.1

A fast action game or movie with a lot of shooting

5 3.2

A crash involving several vehicles on a road

5 8.4

A funny copy of a person or movie that makes fun of their style

5 3.4

A small job to make something look or work better

5 2.7

A phone call arranged to wake someone at a set time

How Much

to skyrocket
82 4.1
to escalate
220 5.5
to boost
271 2.5
to up
∞ 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.