trade up

verb

traded up; trading up; trades up

intransitive verb

1

: to trade in (something, such as an automobile) for something more expensive or valuable of its kind

2

: to stock or purchase higher-priced items

Examples of trade up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bold decision to trade up and select quarterback Jordan Love in 2020 when Aaron Rodgers was still on the roster paid off in the long run. —Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has picked All-Pros Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean and traded up to land players like Jihaad Campbell, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in recent years. —Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

Any one of them could be the potential first-round pick, and that collection grows if general manager Ryan Poles trades up — or back — on draft night. —Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026

Jacksonville traded up last year from the fifth spot in the draft to select Hunter. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trade up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup