stepped up; stepping up; steps up
1
: to increase, augment, or advance especially by one or more steps
The team really stepped up their performance.
The enemy stepped up their attacks.
He also plans to step up efforts to headhunt for the best and brightest …—
Jerry Garrett
Jerry GarrettFactory production was stepped up in an effort to meet helicopter shortfalls.—Shelby L. Stanton
Shelby L. Stanton2
: to increase (a voltage) by means of a transformer
… the use of transformers to step up the voltage to very high levels …—Thomas P. Hughes
Thomas P. Hughes1
a
: to make the effort required to provide information, make a claim, volunteer, etc.
She stepped up to claim responsibility.
see also step up to the plate
b
: to succeed in meeting a challenge (as by increased effort or improved performance)
They just didn't have the guys to step up and make the big plays with the game on the line.—Peter King
Peter King2
: to undergo an increase
Business is stepping up.
3
: to receive a promotion
She stepped up to the position of general manager.
variants
or step up
plural step-ups or step ups
: an increase or advance (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental
Lower inflation will minimize cost-of-living step-ups for Social Security recipients …—Arthur M. Louis
Arthur M. LouisThis model will give them the quality step-up they want at a decent price …—Len Feldman
Len Feldman"… We expect a gradual step up in sales each quarter as 2021 progresses, followed by an extended period of growth starting in 2022."—Nick Stanage
Nick StanageSynonyms
Examples of step up in a Sentence
Verb
candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near
stepped up the pace to catch up with the others
Noun
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Recent Examples on the WebTom Johanningmeier, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up border patrols to catch anyone trying to avoid being drafted and lowered the draft eligibility age to 25 from 27.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Megan Thee Stallion, Tracee Ellis Ross, and others inspire us to step up our squat game.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 May 2024
Someone must step up behind Miami’s top three receivers: With Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. sitting out Tuesday’s practice, the receivers had a relatively quiet session for quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
Talk about Marcus stepping up as Dre and his impact, as well as how you guys wrap all of this up into one final episode.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
Sanders — like Hubbard entering the final year of his deal — has every reason to step up this summer.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
The midfielders and forwards press high, the defenders step up and cut off service, and goalkeeper AD Franch makes saves when called upon.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2024
The Irish actress, 37, stepped up to the plate on season 3 of the Netflix hit series as she and Luke Newton’s characters, Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, respectively, star as romantic leads and finally bridge the gap between their friendship and their underlying chemistry.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
Although taxes should never be the sole consideration for property transfers, the favorable step-up in basis may be a powerful incentive to hold off.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Delegate accreditation at Series Mania’s Forum, its three-day industry event running March 19-21, is on track to pass 4,000 participants, an all time record, and a huge step-up, say, from 2016, when attendance was limited to around 300 executives.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
In community property states such as California, both halves of the property may get that step-up.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
Even with those caveats though, that’s a remarkable step-up for a heady, epic-length follow-up.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024
But in the presence of [section] 1014 and the step-up in basis, that's not necessarily true.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Parallel to directors and producers step-up in ambition, two governmental initiatives – a Catalan Minority Co-Production Fund, launched 2020, and €1.5 million ($1.6 million) grant for up to five high-end Catalan language series each year – are reshaping Catalonia’s industry.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024
As of the date of death, the estate received a step-up in basis to the total face value even if the bond was purchased at a discount—the gain was tax-free and could be used to pay estate taxes.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Verb
Community has stepped up Beate Hall has been at Valley View United Methodist Church since Saturday night.
—Tom Johanningmeier, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up border patrols to catch anyone trying to avoid being drafted and lowered the draft eligibility age to 25 from 27.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Megan Thee Stallion, Tracee Ellis Ross, and others inspire us to step up our squat game.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 May 2024
Someone must step up behind Miami’s top three receivers: With Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. sitting out Tuesday’s practice, the receivers had a relatively quiet session for quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
Talk about Marcus stepping up as Dre and his impact, as well as how you guys wrap all of this up into one final episode.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
Sanders — like Hubbard entering the final year of his deal — has every reason to step up this summer.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
The midfielders and forwards press high, the defenders step up and cut off service, and goalkeeper AD Franch makes saves when called upon.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2024
The Irish actress, 37, stepped up to the plate on season 3 of the Netflix hit series as she and Luke Newton’s characters, Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, respectively, star as romantic leads and finally bridge the gap between their friendship and their underlying chemistry.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Noun
The base Beach model has room for six, while the step-up Beach Tour adds swiveling front seats, lighting for the tent, and a 5.0-inch display that can be used to control air-conditioning, heating, and other systems.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
Although taxes should never be the sole consideration for property transfers, the favorable step-up in basis may be a powerful incentive to hold off.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Delegate accreditation at Series Mania’s Forum, its three-day industry event running March 19-21, is on track to pass 4,000 participants, an all time record, and a huge step-up, say, from 2016, when attendance was limited to around 300 executives.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
In community property states such as California, both halves of the property may get that step-up.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
Even with those caveats though, that’s a remarkable step-up for a heady, epic-length follow-up.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024
But in the presence of [section] 1014 and the step-up in basis, that's not necessarily true.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Parallel to directors and producers step-up in ambition, two governmental initiatives – a Catalan Minority Co-Production Fund, launched 2020, and €1.5 million ($1.6 million) grant for up to five high-end Catalan language series each year – are reshaping Catalonia’s industry.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024
As of the date of death, the estate received a step-up in basis to the total face value even if the bond was purchased at a discount—the gain was tax-free and could be used to pay estate taxes.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near step up
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20up. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.
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