hike up

USAGE SUMMARY

'hike up' is correct and usable in written English, specifically as a phrasal verb.
It means 'to increase sharply' and can typically be used in a business or financial context. For example: "The company's stock price hiked up after the announcement of a new product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They can hike up the glacier.

The New York Times

I bike, hike up steep hills, swim".

The New York Times

Louboutin then instructed her to hike up her skirt.

The New Yorker

We disembarked and began to hike up a steep hill.

The New Yorker

(The strenuous hike up takes about two hours).

The New York Times - Travel

The hike up is about 45 minutes on a relentlessly steep trail.

The New York Times - Travel

"When I hike up a mountain in California, I don't see a lush forest.

The New Yorker

"We would hike up into the mountains and try to catch lizards," she recalls.

The New York Times

First Hill is a mixed-use area a short hike up from downtown Seattle.

The New York Times

Do you think readers of your book will hike up to visit you this summer?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's Facebook, not you-and-twenty-other-people-on-a-hike-up-mount-everest-book.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hike up" in the context of prices or costs, ensure the increase is significant and noticeable. For smaller adjustments, consider using words like "increase" or "raise".

Common error

Avoid using "hike up" for gradual or minor increases. This phrasal verb implies a rapid and substantial change, so using it for smaller increments can sound unnatural or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hike up" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a sharp or substantial increase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form. Examples demonstrate its application in describing price increases, physical ascents, and adjusting clothing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "hike up" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that primarily indicates a sharp or substantial increase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's crucial to use it appropriately, ensuring the context aligns with its primary meaning of rapid escalation. Ludwig's examples illustrate its presence across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and general usage. Understanding its function, purpose, and register, alongside common errors to avoid, enables effective communication with "hike up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase sharply

Focuses on the rapid increase aspect, omitting the upward movement nuance.

raise substantially

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the magnitude of the increase rather than the action of hiking.

drive up

Implies external forces causing the increase, rather than a natural rise.

jack up

More informal, suggesting a sudden and potentially unfair increase.

mark up

Specifically refers to increasing prices or values, often in a retail context.

elevate

More formal, suggesting a deliberate act of raising something to a higher position.

ascend

Focuses on the upward movement aspect, omitting the rapid increase nuance.

climb

Similar to ascend, highlighting upward movement, but can apply to abstract concepts.

ramp up

Suggests a gradual increase, often in production or activity, rather than a sudden spike.

step up

Implies improvement or intensification, applicable in various contexts beyond literal height.

FAQs

How can I use "hike up" in a sentence?

You can use "hike up" to describe a sharp increase in prices, such as: "The gas station decided to "hike up" prices due to the recent oil crisis."

What's a more formal way to say "hike up"?

Alternatives to "hike up" for more formal contexts include "increase sharply", "raise substantially", or "elevate", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "jack up" instead of "hike up"?

"Jack up" is a more informal synonym for "hike up", implying a sudden and potentially unfair increase. It's suitable for casual conversation, but less appropriate in formal or professional writing.

Is "hike up" only used for prices?

While commonly used for prices, "hike up" can also refer to physically lifting something or someone, as in: "He had to "hike up" his pants that were falling down."