run up

To move quickly on foot towards someone or something.

• A dog ran up to me.
• The children run up to the gate every morning.
• She ran up and hugged her brother.

How to use it: run up to someone/something (A little boy ran up to the bus.)

Similar words: rush up

Common phrases: run up to someone, run up to something

To create a large bill or debt by spending or using more and more.

• He ran up a huge bill.
• They run up debts buying things they cannot afford.
• Have you run up more charges on my card?

How to use it: run up a bill/debt (We ran up a large hotel bill.)

Similar words: accumulate, rack up

Opposites: pay off

Common phrases: run up debts, run up a bill

To make something quickly, especially by sewing.

• I can run up some curtains.
• She ran up a dress for the party.
• Could you run me up a simple costume?

How to use it: run something up (I ran the curtains up before lunch.); run someone up something (She ran him up a costume.)

Similar words: make quickly, whip up

Common phrases: run up something, run up curtains

To pull a flag to the top of a pole.

• They ran up a flag.
• The sailors run up the national flag every morning.
• Run it up before the guests arrive.

How to use it: run something up (The crew ran the flag up.)

Similar words: raise, hoist

Opposites: lower

Common phrases: run up a flag, run up something

To move closer in time to an event or date.

• Sales increase as we run up to Christmas.
• The parties held rallies as they ran up to the election.
• Security will tighten as we run up to the festival.

How to use it: run up to an event (Shops get busy as we run up to Christmas.)

Similar words: approach

Common phrases: run up to Christmas, run up to something

To become larger in amount or value.

• Prices ran up sharply last month.
• The total cost can run up quickly.
• Share values ran up before the announcement.

Similar words: rise, increase

Opposites: fall, decrease

Common phrases: run up sharply, run up quickly