Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To increase or raise something, especially a price, amount, or level: The action of making something higher, often suddenly or by a noticeable degree.

Usage

• The verb "bump up" is used with a direct object (the thing being increased). It often implies an informal or sudden increase.
• It is commonly used in business, economics, and informal contexts.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The company decided to bump up salaries due to high profits.
  • They had to bump up the volume so everyone in the back could hear.
  • A supply shortage can bump up prices.

Advanced Usage

• "to bump something up to [a level/amount]": To increase something to a specific target.
  • Let's bump the budget up to $5000 for this project.
• "to bump up against [a limit/ceiling]": To reach or encounter a limiting factor (this is a less common, more figurative use related to the core meaning of "bump").
  • Our ambitions are starting to bump up against the constraints of our current funding.

Variants and Related Words

• Bump (verb): To hit or knock against something; can also mean to increase informally (e.g., ).
• Increase (verb): A more general and formal synonym.
• Raise (verb): A common synonym, especially for prices or amounts.

Synonyms

• Increase
• Raise
• Boost
• Hike (informal)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bump into: To meet someone by chance.
  • I bumped into an old friend at the store.
• Bump off (slang): To murder someone.
  • The gangster threatened to bump off the informant.

Related Idioms

• "Bump up the odds": To increase the chances or probability of something.
  • Adding more experience to the team will bump up the odds of success.

Verb

1. increase or raise
   • OPEC bumped up the price of oil