Definition

Verb (transitive or intransitive): 1. To approach or move towards a location in a vehicle: The core meaning is to operate a vehicle so that it comes near to or arrives at a specific point. 2. To cause something to increase, especially a price or cost: This is a separate, idiomatic meaning where "drive" means to force or cause, and "up" indicates an upward direction.

Usage and Examples

• Literal Meaning (Approaching in a vehicle):

  • We watched the car drive up to the hotel entrance.
  • Please drive up to the next window to pay.
  • A taxi drove up just as we were leaving.

• Idiomatic Meaning (Causing an increase):

  • High demand can drive up the price of housing.
  • The new tax will drive up the cost of fuel.
  • Speculation drove stock prices up rapidly.

Advanced Usage

• The verb can be used both transitively (with an object: ) and intransitively (without an object: ).
• In the "cause to increase" meaning, the object (the thing being increased) is often placed between "drive" and "up" (e.g., ), though it can also follow (e.g., ).

Variants and Related Words

• Drive-up (adjective): Describing a service where one can be served without leaving one's car.
  • A drive-up ATM; a drive-up window.
• Pull up: A near-synonym for the literal meaning, often implying coming to a stop.
  • He pulled up in front of the house.

Synonyms

• Approach (by car): near, advance.
• Increase (verb): force up, push up, inflate, escalate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Drive down: To cause something to decrease.
  • Increased competition can drive down prices.
• Drive on: To continue driving.
  • The road was clear, so we drove on through the night.

Related Idioms

• Drive a hard bargain: To negotiate forcefully to get a favorable deal, which can be related to the concept of driving prices up or down.
• Drive someone up the wall: To irritate or annoy someone intensely. (Note: This is a distinct idiom from "drive up").

Verb

1. approach while driving
   • The truck entered the driveway and drove up towards the house