Phrasal verb
edge up
Definition
phrasal verb. to increase slowly and gradually over time.
phrasal verb. to move upward by small degrees; typically used in financial or statistical contexts to describe incremental growth in prices, rates, or percentages.
Examples
“The price of milk continues to edge up every month.”
“Investors watched closely as interest rates began to edge up after a long period of stability.”
“Despite the government's efforts to curb inflation, the cost of living has continued to edge up, putting pressure on low-income households.”
Examples
simple
“The price of milk continues to edge up every month.”
contextual
“Investors watched closely as interest rates began to edge up after a long period of stability.”
complex
“Despite the government's efforts to curb inflation, the cost of living has continued to edge up, putting pressure on low-income households.”
Usage
Usually used with uncountable nouns like prices, costs, or percentages.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'soar' or 'rocket' to show the difference in speed; 'edge up' implies a slow, cautious, or creeping movement.
Pitfall
The prices edged up the market.
The prices edged up.
in this sense, 'edge up' is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
edge + up