upswing

[ noun uhp-swing; verb uhp-swing ]

noun

1. an upward swing or swinging movement, as of a pendulum.
2. a marked increase or improvement:

   an upswing in stock prices.

verb (used without object)

, up·swung, up·swing·ing.

1. to make or undergo an upswing.

upswing

noun

1. economics a recovery period in the trade cycle
2. an upward swing or movement or any increase or improvement

verb

1. intr to swing or move up

Word History and Origins

Origin of upswing¹

First recorded in 1920–25; up- + swing ¹

Example Sentences

Lesh remained with the Dead through their unexpected upswing in popularity in the late 1980s and early ’90s, a revival partially fueled by the band’s only Top 40 hit, “Touch of Grey.”

From Los Angeles Times

But ratings have been on the upswing nationally and have gained in relative strength as other TV genres have been in decline.

From Los Angeles Times

When they get a post-convention bump, according to Politico's polling expert, "candidates who end the conventions on the upswing typically see that momentum continue through to Election Day."

From Salon

Falling as it does in mid-June, Father’s Day coincides with an upswing in outdoor excursions.

From New York Times

The economy, fueled by government spending, is on the upswing.

From BBC

Related Words

• upturn

More About Upswing

What does on the upswing mean?

The expression on the upswing refers to something in the process of improving or increasing. It’s often used in the context of economics.

How is on the upswing pronounced?

[ on thuh uhp-swing ]

What are some other words related to on the upswing?

• uptick
• success
• streak
• downswing

Where does on the upswing come from?

The term upswing is first recorded in reference to golf, describing the part of a golf swing where one brings the club up over their head before the downswing to strike the ball.

Evidence for the word upswing dates back to at least the 1920s. It quickly became an effective visual metaphor for “upward movement,” especially when starting from a poor or middling state (e.g., Trade and stock prices are on the upswing). This usage, including the specific phrase on the upswing, is found in the 1930s, likely corresponding to economic activity during the Great Depression.

Upswing has been expanded to mean any “increase” (e.g., We’re seeing an upswing in visitors to a website). This upswing is likely influenced by a similar word, uptick.

From economics, on the upswing spread to a whole range of contexts, including “improvements” in personal circumstances like physical or emotional health.

The band Bell X1 released a track “The Upswing” in 2016, featuring the chorus: “‘Cause baby one little push from you / Got me on the upswing / Even without trying to / Got me on the upswing.” That is, the singer is doing better and better.

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How is on the upswing used in real life?

On the upswing is particularly common in economic discussions to describe trading, companies, prices, profits, or even whole economies that are trending upward in activity, value, strength, and health.

5 ways #manufacturing is on the upswing in Dayton again https://t.co/p7wJAQTZWo

— HEAT LLC (@heatllc) November 16, 2018

Outside economics, on the upswing is commonly and widely used in any number of other contexts to describe things that are getting bigger, better, and stronger from a weakened or reduced state.

Poetry reading is on the upswing (opinion) https://t.co/gKQoidLPUa

— The Poetry Society (@PoetrySociety) November 21, 2018

 

Giants-Eagles first look: Surprisingly, it’s the Giants on the upswing – https://t.co/WygI5g9sRO pic.twitter.com/nqPkDkb8y7

— Big Blue United (@BigBlueUnited) November 21, 2018

On the upswing (health-wise). Not out of the woods yet, though.

— Cam Makovichuk (@cammakovichuk) May 11, 2010

 

A downswing is used for the opposite of an upswing, or a “decline.”