# run up

idiom

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

## Meaning

To make something, usually an item of clothing, very quickly.

## Examples

- She can run up a simple skirt in an hour.
- I need a new dress for the party, so I will run up something simple tonight.
- With the gala only hours away, the talented tailor managed to run up a stunning evening gown using only the fabric she had on hand.

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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.