# inch up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/inch-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To move or increase by small increments, typically slowly and carefully.

## Examples

- Gas prices continue to inch up every week.
- The temperature began to inch up as the sun finally rose over the cold mountain peaks.
- As the deadline approached, the tension in the room seemed to inch up with every passing minute of silence.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.