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
   step up to the plate
   1. baseball to move into batting position
   2. to come forward and take responsibility for something

adjective

1. See step down
   (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

He urged him to “force the president to step up to the plate and take responsibility for his actions.”

From The Daily Beast

Every other year Adam Shankman was doing a Step Up movie and we could give them a role in that as a prize.

From The Daily Beast

A video and images of actress Briana Evigan of the Step Up films also leaked.

From The Daily Beast

The nurse pleaded with the UN Security Council, and the international community as a whole, to step up their response.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. should step up intelligence cooperation with India to prevent and deter attacks such as the ones in Mumbai and Herat.

From The Daily Beast

As we are quite invisible, we just step up beside the driver as the engine moves, and he knows nothing about us.

From Project Gutenberg

And the human creatures were requested to step up and help themselves to such as suited their tastes.

From Project Gutenberg

Nodding and smirking at Morsfield's approach, she entreated Aminta to step up and in, for the horses were coming out of the yard.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, advancing with a slow and noiseless step up the area, he placed himself immediately before the footstool of the sage.

From Project Gutenberg

While this is being done, ladies and gentlemen, I wish that three of you would step up on the stage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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