Phrasal verb
step up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
step up
Past
stepped up
Past participle
stepped up
Definition
phrasal verb. to increase your effort or take more responsibility when a situation becomes difficult or needs a leader.
phrasal verb. to increase the intensity, quality, or frequency of an activity; alternatively, to assume a leadership role or take responsibility in response to a challenge.
Examples
“You need to step up your training if you want to win.”
“When the manager fell ill, Sarah had to step up and lead the department through the crisis.”
“The government has been urged to step up its efforts to combat climate change before the international summit begins.”
Examples
simple
“You need to step up your training if you want to win.”
contextual
“When the manager fell ill, Sarah had to step up and lead the department through the crisis.”
complex
“The government has been urged to step up its efforts to combat climate change before the international summit begins.”
Usage
often used with 'to the plate' in American English or followed by 'your game' to mean improving performance.
Teaching tip
contrast the literal sense of moving onto a higher platform with the figurative sense of increasing effort; the figurative sense is very common in business and sports contexts.
Pitfall
He stepped up of his efforts.
He stepped up his efforts.
the verb is transitive in this sense and does not require the preposition 'of' before the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
step + up (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/step-up