up
adverb
uk/ʌp/ ustowards a higher value, number, or level:
Share prices moved up slowly yesterday.
Pushing the number of unit sales up every quarter can't be continued indefinitely.
if a level or amount is up, it has increased:
The cost of insurance is up quite a lot this year.
up 5%, 20%, etc. on sth Last year the company's turnover was up 3% on the previous year.
in a state of being together with other similar things:
Add up the column of figures.
to an end or state of being complete:
Finish up this report before you leave tonight.
I'd like to wind up the meeting by thanking you for coming.
up for sth
intended, suggested, or being considered for something:
Jack is up for promotion this year.
They put the building up for sale.
(also up for doing sth)
willing and able to do or take part in an activity:
After a long day of meetings, I wasn't really up for taking the clients out for dinner.
He asked if anyone wanted to try, and I said I was up for it.
up to sth
as high as a particular level or number:
The Competition Commission clamped down on lenders who charge borrowers in deprived areas interest rates of up to 900%.
Owners who hire illegal workers face up to five years in prison.
Women who have been with a firm for some time are told that their files have been reviewed and suddenly their work is not up to standard.
(also up until sth)
until a particular point in time:
Up to now, we've had all the resources we needed.
I was treated as a trusted employee up until about six months ago.
able to do something:
I had four hundred pages of reports to read, and I just didn't feel up to it.
up to the job/task Do you think he's up to the job?
up
adjective [ after verb ]
IT uk/ʌp/ usif a computer, system, etc. is up, it is operating normally:
The system is up again, so we have to get back to work.
Do you know when the network will be up again?
Compare
down adjective
up and running
if a computer, machine, or system is up and running, it is operating normally:
The air-conditioning is up and running again after two days of problems.
up
noun
uk/ʌp/ uson the up (and up) UK
improving or increasing:
It's only a small business but it's definitely on the up.
House prices are still on the up.
on the up and up US
used to describe something that is done legally or honestly:
Do you feel everything with the governor's land deal was done on the up and up?
Drug makers face at least one major challenge: convincing consumers that ads are on the up and up.
ups and downs
the normal good times and bad times that happen in any situation or period:
Luard was looking to buy a new business to balance his other companies' dependence on the ups and downs of the oil sector.
The magazine industry has had its ups and downs.
up
verb [ T ]
informal uk/ʌp/ us-pp-to increase something such as a price:
We won't be able to make a profit on the deal without upping the sale price.
It looks like tax rates are going to be upped again.
See also
up the ante