run up

British  

verb

1. to amass or accumulate; incur

   to run up debts

2. to make by sewing together quickly

   to run up a dress

3. to hoist

   to run up a flag

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noun

1. an approach run by an athlete for a long jump, pole vault, etc

2. a preliminary or preparatory period

   the run-up to the election

run up Idioms  

1. Make or become greater or larger, as in That offer will run up the price of the stock . [Late 1500s]

2. Accumulate, as in She ran up huge bills at the florist . [First half of 1700s]

3. Sew rapidly, as in I can run up some new curtains for the kitchen . [Mid-1800s]

4. Raise a flag, as in Let's run up the flag in time for the holiday . This usage, originating in the navy about 1900, gave rise to the slangy phrase, Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes , meaning, “Let's try this out.” The latter originated about 1960 as advertising jargon.

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Example Sentences

The records show this early evacuation was run up the chain of command, meaning officials handling the emergency should have been aware of it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

IBM’s stock has run up 16.1% this week, as of afternoon trading on Friday, which put it on pace for its best week in 24 years.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

But United levelled the tie just two minutes later through centre-back Godwill Kukonki's marauding run up the pitch before finishing the move by thumping home a powerful header in from Jim Thwaites' cross-field pass.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

However, the sudden run up in cocoa prices is also a reminder of how volatile cocoa markets can be after the wild ride of the last few years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

I run up to it and knock, but there’s no answer, and when Smitty passes me, shooting a look, I have to stop knocking.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Related Words

• assemble
• construct
• create
• found
• hoist
• initiate
• mount
• organize
• put up
• raise
• set up
• stand