Increasing or Decreasing: English Vocabulary List

to increase something, such as a quantity, level, or value

"Bump up the volume on the stereo."

"The store decided to bump up the price of the popular toy just before the holiday shopping season began."

to gradually add to the amount, number, price, etc. of something

"The price will creep up."

"Inflation has begun to creep up, making everyday necessities more expensive for consumers than they were last year."

to reduce pressure, intensity, or pace of something to make someone feel more at ease

"Ease up on the gas pedal."

"You need to ease up on the gas pedal because we are driving too fast on this icy road."

to act more quickly because there is not much time

"They hurry up to avoid being late."

"You need to hurry up or we will miss the beginning of the movie and I really want to see the opening scene."

to become less intense or strong

"The rain lets up after noon."

"The rain finally let up after three days of constant downpour and flooding in the low lying areas."

to increase the speed of an engine

"Rev up the engine before starting."

"The race car driver revved up his engine while waiting for the green light to start the race."

to decrease in speed or pace

"Slow up when approaching the school zone."

"The heavy traffic slowed up our progress so we arrived at the airport just as our plane was taking off."

to become faster

"They will speed up."

"The cyclist decided to speed up to catch up with the group that had gotten ahead of him on the steep hill."

to cause an increase in the amount, size, or significance of something

"The startup needs to scale up production."

"The startup plans to scale up its production capacity to meet the unexpectedly high demand for its new product."

to become more powerful, intense, or larger in quantity

"He wants to build up muscle."

"It takes time to build up enough savings for a down payment on a house."

to suddenly become more intense, especially in terms of a situation or conflict

"The fight flared up again."

"Tensions between the two nations began to flare up following the disputed border incident."

to increase in value, extent, amount, etc.

"Prices go up."

"We expect the prices of gasoline to go up significantly next quarter."

to increase the price of something

"Prices will kick up."

"The sudden demand for the rare collectible is expected to kick up its market value considerably."

to experience a positive rise in something

"Sales will pick up."

"We are anticipating a significant pick up in economic activity after the new policies are implemented."

to increase in amount or quantity over time

"The dishes pile up in the sink."

"The dirty dishes began to pile up in the sink because she had been too busy to wash them for several days."

to increase or enhance something

"Pump up the tires before riding."

"The coach tried to pump up his players before the big game by giving them an energetic and inspiring speech in the locker room."

to cause an increase in the amount, number, or value of something

"This will push up costs."

"The sudden surge in demand for the new smartphone will likely push up its retail price significantly."

to cause the cost or value of something to increase

"He runs up a huge phone bill."

"He managed to run up a huge credit card bill by buying expensive clothes and electronics that he did not actually need."

to cause the value or price of something to rise

"This will send up prices."

"The unexpected discovery of a rare mineral deposit in the region has sent up the value of local land dramatically."

(of an amount or price) to increase rapidly

"Prices will shoot up soon."

"The cost of gasoline tends to shoot up during the summer when more people travel by car."

to increase the size, amount, intensity, speed, etc. of something

"We must step up production."

"The team needs to step up their efforts if they hope to meet the ambitious project deadline."

to turn a switch on a device so that it makes more sound, heat, etc.

"She turns up the radio volume."

"The music was too quiet so I asked the DJ to turn up the volume so everyone could hear the song clearly."