go up
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to increase in price, level, or amount.
phrasal verb. to increase in quantity, price, or level. This phrasal verb is intransitive.
The price of coffee is going up again.
The temperature is expected to go up to 30 degrees Celsius this afternoon.
As public awareness of the environmental crisis goes up, so too does the political pressure for legislative action.
Usage
Commonly used for prices, numbers, temperatures, and other measurable levels.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'raise', which is transitive: prices *go up* (on their own), but a company *raises* prices.
Pitfall
The shop went up the prices.The prices went up.'Go up' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object; use 'raise' for the action of increasing something.
Last updated April 24, 2026