English verb: step up | |||
1. | step up (change) increase in extent or intensity | ||
Samples | The Allies escalated the bombing. | ||
Synonyms | escalate, intensify | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | increase | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | redouble | ||
Antonyms | de-escalate, step down, weaken | ||
2. | step up (change) speed up | ||
Samples | Let's rev up production. | ||
Synonyms | rev up | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | increase | ||
3. | step up (motion) make oneself visible; take action | ||
Samples | Young people should step to the fore and help their peers. | ||
Synonyms | come forward, come out, come to the fore, step forward, step to the fore | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | act, move | ||