run-up
1 of 2noun
ˈrən-ˌəp 
1
: the act of running up something
2
: a usually sudden increase in volume or price
3
: a period immediately preceding an action or event
run up
2 of 2verb
ran up; run up; running up; runs up
intransitive verb
: to grow rapidly : shoot up
transitive verb
1
: bid up
2
: to stitch together quickly
3
: to erect hastily
4
: to achieve by accumulating
ran up a big lead
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Highland got on the scoreboard first following a 7-yard touchdown run up the middle from Stiles. Michael Trivisonno, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 The company expects the costs associated with the layoffs and ceasing production to run up to $7 million, according to the document. Leto Sapunar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 July 2022 And big projects tied to the Olympics have been controversial, forcing some host cities — including Tokyo in 2021 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 — to run up massive deficits. Rachel Urangastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022 So chalk this recent run up to bad luck, bad timing, and finding a bad person. Wayne And Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2022 But the startup from Gloucestershire, England, burst into the spotlight on Sunday by setting a new record for the quickest run up the famed hill-climb at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 27 June 2022 Home costs have run up sharply since the pandemic and mortgages are now more expensive, making buying unaffordable for many families. New York Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Democratic gubernatorial nominees have run up a massive ad-spending edge over their GOP opponents in races where primary contests have already occurred, new analysis from NBC News shows. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 25 July 2022 See More
Verb
In many cases, parents take out a Parent PLUS loan to fill the gap when students in bachelor's degree programs run up against the federal student loan limits. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Highland got on the scoreboard first following a 7-yard touchdown run up the middle from Stiles. Michael Trivisonno, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 The company expects the costs associated with the layoffs and ceasing production to run up to $7 million, according to the document. Leto Sapunar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 July 2022 And big projects tied to the Olympics have been controversial, forcing some host cities — including Tokyo in 2021 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 — to run up massive deficits. Rachel Urangastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022 So chalk this recent run up to bad luck, bad timing, and finding a bad person. Wayne And Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2022 But the startup from Gloucestershire, England, burst into the spotlight on Sunday by setting a new record for the quickest run up the famed hill-climb at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 27 June 2022 Home costs have run up sharply since the pandemic and mortgages are now more expensive, making buying unaffordable for many families. New York Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Democratic gubernatorial nominees have run up a massive ad-spending edge over their GOP opponents in races where primary contests have already occurred, new analysis from NBC News shows. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 25 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
run-up
noun
1
as in countdown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- countdown
- preliminary
- overture
- prelude
- warm-up
- kickoff
- curtain-raiser
- prologue
- start
- preamble
- lead-in
- prolog
2
as in spike
Synonyms & Similar Words
- spike
- jump
- upturn
- continuation
- extension
- uptrend
- accession
- appendix
- complement
- increase
- uptick
- addition
- raise
- proliferation
- increment
- gathering
- accumulation
- augmentation
- collection
- expansion
- boost
- step-up
- plus
- more
- addendum
- accrual
- rise
- accretion
- gain
- assemblage
- supplement
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduction
- fall
- decline
- decrease
- loss
- falloff
- depletion
- lowering
- diminution
- shrinkage
- abatement
- lessening
- diminishment
- drop-off
- decrement
- deduction
- step-down
- subtraction