step up

Meanings

1. 1verbphrasal verb

   To come forward and take responsibility or act when a situation needs someone to do so.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by to: she stepped up when the manager left.

   Patterns

   • step up
   • step up to something
   • step up as something

   When the captain was injured, the youngest player stepped up and led the team.

   Neighbors stepped up to help the family after the fire.

   We need someone to step up and organize the fundraiser.

2. 2verbphrasal verb

   To increase the amount, speed or intensity of something so that it is greater than before.

   Grammar: Takes an object, which can sit before or after up: step up security or step security up.

   Patterns

   • step up something
   • step something up

   The city stepped up patrols after the string of break-ins.

   The factory will step up production before the holidays.

   Doctors have stepped up their efforts to screen patients early.

3. 3nouncountable

   An increase in level, rank or quality, often written with a hyphen as step-up.

   Grammar: Usually follows an or the: a step-up in class.

   Patterns

   • a step-up in something
   • a step-up from something

   Moving from the junior team to the senior squad was a big step-up.

   The new model is a real step-up in battery life.

   For her, the promotion felt like a step-up in responsibility.

Word forms

Common combinations

step up to the plate

When the deadline got close, Maria stepped up to the plate and finished the report.

step up efforts

The council has stepped up efforts to clean the river.

step up security

Airports stepped up security during the busy travel week.

step up production

The bakery stepped up production to meet the holiday orders.

a step-up in quality

Reviewers noticed a step-up in quality between the first and second seasons.

Synonyms and how they differ

increase

Increase is a plain, neutral word, while step up suggests a deliberate decision to do more because the situation calls for it.

volunteer

Volunteer stresses offering freely to do a job, whereas step up implies taking on a duty others are counting on you to handle.

escalate

Escalate usually describes a rise in something unpleasant such as conflict, while step up is more neutral and often positive.

intensify

Intensify is more formal and focuses on making something stronger, not on a person coming forward.

Opposites

Word family

step noun

a single movement of the foot, or one stage in a process

stepping stone noun

something that helps you progress toward a larger goal

step down verb

to leave a position of authority

step-up noun

an improvement or advance in level

Commonly confused: step up or step in?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “step up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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