run up

Definition

Verb (transitive):
- To accumulate or incur (a debt or bill) quickly: To allow a sum of money owed to increase rapidly over a short period.
- To make or assemble something, especially clothing, quickly: To sew or put together something in a hurried manner.
- To raise or hoist something: To lift something, especially a flag or sail, into position.
- To cause something to increase rapidly: To contribute to a swift rise in an amount, level, or score.

Usage Examples

Accumulating a debt:
- He managed to run up a huge credit card bill during his vacation.
- Be careful not to run up a large tab at the bar.
Making something quickly:
- She can run up a simple dress in an afternoon.
- I'll run up some curtains for the new room.
Raising or hoisting:
- The soldiers ran up the flag at dawn.
- We need to run up the sails before the wind picks up.
Causing an increase:
- The home team ran up an impressive score in the first half.
- Panic buying ran up the price of essential goods.

Advanced Usage

"to run up against": To encounter an unexpected difficulty or obstacle.
- The project ran up against some legal hurdles.
"to run up to": To approach or reach a certain amount, level, or person quickly.
- His total expenses ran up to several thousand dollars.
- She ran up to me and gave me a hug.

Variants and Related Words

Run-up (noun): The period leading up to an important event; a preparatory period.
- The run-up to the election was very tense.
Run (verb): The base form with many meanings, including to move quickly on foot, to operate, or to flow.

Synonyms

Accrue: To accumulate or receive (payments or benefits) over time.
Amass: To gather or collect a large amount of something.
Incur: To become subject to (something unwelcome, like a debt) because of one's own actions.
Hoist: To raise or lift something, especially using ropes or machinery.
Sew: To join, fasten, or repair something by making stitches with a needle and thread.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Run up on (someone): (Informal) To approach someone aggressively or unexpectedly.
- A stranger ran up on him from behind.
Run up the score: In sports, to increase one's lead over an opponent by a large margin, often perceived as unsportsmanlike.
- The coach was accused of running up the score against the weaker team.

Related Idioms

Run up a white flag: To surrender or show that you accept defeat.
- After a long battle, the company finally ran up a white flag and declared bankruptcy.
Run up the wrong way: (British, informal) To irritate or annoy someone.
- His arrogant attitude really runs me up the wrong way.

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