# ramp up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ramp-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to increase the amount, speed, or power of something. You use this when a company or group starts doing more of an activity.

For teachers: to increase the level or amount of something sharply or significantly. Often used in business or organizational contexts to describe a deliberate expansion of effort or production.

## Examples

- The factory will ramp up production next month.
- The government decided to ramp up its vaccination program to reach more people before winter.
- As the deadline approached, the engineering team had to ramp up their efforts to ensure the prototype met all safety specifications.

## Usage notes

- usually takes an object like 'production', 'efforts', or 'security'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'increase' (neutral) and 'escalate' (often negative); 'ramp up' implies a planned, deliberate expansion.

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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.