step-up

or step·up

[ step-uhp ]

adjective

1. effecting an increase.
2. Electricity. serving to increase voltage:

   a step-up transformer.

3. (of a lease) allowing for gradual rent increases to the highest amount permissible.

noun

1. an increase or rise in the rate or quantity of something.

step up

verb

1. tr to increase or raise by stages; accelerate
2. intr to make progress or effect an advancement; be promoted
3. step up to the plate
   1. baseball to move into batting position
   2. to come forward and take responsibility for something

adjective

1. (of a transformer) increasing a low voltage applied to the primary winding to a higher voltage on the secondary winding Compare step down
2. informal.
   involving a rise by stages

noun

1. informal.
   an increment in quantity, size, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of step-up¹

First recorded in 1890–95; adj., noun use of verb phrase step up

Example Sentences

But he soon experienced the fickleness of pro pugilism in a significant step-up.

From BBC

The proposal would also eliminate the notorious step-up in basis enjoyed by heirs.

From Los Angeles Times

But investments held in revocable trusts, such as living trusts, should qualify for the favorable step-up in basis that would eliminate the taxable capital gain at his death.

From Los Angeles Times

This was expected to be a tougher bout - Yang represented a step-up in class - but it proved to be another clear victory.

From BBC

She was then heading for London to call on UK ministers to step-up their efforts for Vladimir, a joint British-Russian citizen.

From BBC

Related Words

• boost
• escalate
• hasten
• improve
• increase
• intensify
• quicken
• raise
• speed