1
general::
Phrase(s): step up
to increase. • Industrial production stepped up a large amount this last quarter. • Traffic has stepped up since the road was paved., Phrase(s): step something up
1. to make something more active. • I hope we can step the pace of business up in the next few days. • We can step up business considerably by putting out a larger sign. 2. to make something go or run faster. • The engineer stepped the motors up and the production line moved even faster. • Please step up the speed of your activity.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Increase, especially in stages, as in We've got to step up production. [Early 1900s] Also see STEP DOWN, def2. 2. Come forward, as in Step up to the podium, folks, and I'll show you how it works. [Mid1600s]
American Heritage Idioms