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step up

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌstɛp ˈʌp/ · UK /ˌstep ˈʌp/

step up means: To take responsibility or offer help when it is needed.

verb

TAKE RESPONSIBILITYB2

To take responsibility or offer help when it is needed.

  • Someone needs to step up.
  • She stepped up to lead the team.
  • Will you step up and take responsibility?

How to use it: step up to something (She stepped up to the challenge of running the team.); step up to do something (Several neighbours stepped up to help.)

Similar words: take responsibility, volunteer, come forward

Opposites: shirk responsibility

Common phrases: step up now, step up and help, step up to lead

INCREASEB2

To increase the amount, strength, or level of something.

  • We need to step up our efforts.
  • Police stepped up security at the station.
  • The factory has stepped up production to meet demand.

How to use it: step something up (The company stepped production up before the holidays.)

Similar words: increase, boost, intensify

Opposites: reduce, decrease

Common phrases: step up efforts, step up production, step up security

Questions about step up

What does step up mean?

To take responsibility or offer help when it is needed.

What is step up in other languages?

Türkçe: sorumluluk almak · Español: asumir la responsabilidad · Français: prendre ses responsabilités · Deutsch: Verantwortung übernehmen · Italiano: assumersi la responsabilità · 日本語: 責任を引き受ける

How do you pronounce step up?

In American English /ˌstɛp ˈʌp/; in British English /ˌstep ˈʌp/.

How do you use step up in a sentence?

Someone needs to step up. She stepped up to lead the team.

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