step up meaning and definition

STEP UP verb

Definition of step up (verb)

1. increase in extent or intensity
   • "The Allies escalated the bombing"
   • synonyms: escalate, intensify
   • antonym: de-escalate
2. speed up
   • "let's rev up production"
   • synonyms: rev up
3. make oneself visible; take action
   • "Young people should step to the fore and help their peers"
   • synonyms: come forward, come out, come to the fore, step forward, step to the fore