mount up

USAGE SUMMARY

"mount up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to things increasing quickly or in large amounts, such as when describing the number of people joining a cause. Example: "As the protests began to gain more media attention, people began to mount up in support of the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The costs certainly mount up.

The Guardian - Travel

"But the pennies mount up".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the strike costs mount up.

The New York Times

Goals mount up almost as an inevitability.

The Guardian - Sport

A.T.M. fees can mount up quickly when you're traveling.

The New York Times - Travel

Now, the damage is starting to mount up again.

The Washington Post

"Recommend we mount up now and pull back".

The New York Times - Magazine

But other incidental costs can mount up fast.

The New York Times - Travel

Over a century, though, they mount up to maybe a few percent.

The Economist

With almost 3 billion queries a day, those results soon mount up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There was never any real plan to correct this as cases continued to mount-up.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mount up" to describe an increase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is accumulating. For example, "The pressure mounted up as the deadline approached."

Common error

Avoid using "mount up" in a context where a literal meaning (getting on a horse or vehicle) is intended, but the figurative meaning (accumulating) is implied. This can create confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "mount up" functions as both a literal instruction to get on something, such as a horse, and as a figurative description of something increasing or accumulating. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm its dual usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mount up" is a phrasal verb with both literal and figurative meanings. Literally, it means to get on something, while figuratively, it signifies an increase or accumulation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While it can be used in various contexts, its suitability for formal writing depends on the intended meaning, where more formal alternatives might be preferred. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations between the literal and figurative senses to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulate

Refers specifically to the gradual increase in quantity or amount of something, similar to one sense of "mount up".

increase

Highlights the general rise in number, size, or intensity, a core aspect of "mount up".

build up

Emphasizes the process of gradual addition leading to a larger total, mirroring the incremental nature of "mount up".

pile up

Stresses the accumulation of things, often in a disorganized way, sharing a sense of quantity with "mount up".

gather

Indicates the act of bringing things together, which can lead to an increase in quantity, similar to "mount up".

climb aboard

Focuses on the action of getting onto something, like a vehicle or animal, which is one literal meaning of "mount up".

get on

Similar to "climb aboard", it signifies the act of boarding or mounting something.

board

A concise way of expressing the action of getting onto a vehicle or vessel.

saddle up

Specifically refers to preparing a horse for riding, which is a more specialized version of "mount up".

get astride

Implies sitting with one leg on each side of something, aligning with the mounting aspect of "mount up".

FAQs

What does "mount up" mean?

The phrase "mount up" has two primary meanings. Literally, it means to get on a horse or other animal for riding, or to get into a vehicle. Figuratively, it means for something to increase or accumulate over time.

How can I use "mount up" in a sentence to mean increase?

You can use "mount up" to describe an increase in things like costs, problems, or pressure. For example, "The costs certainly "mount up" quickly when you're traveling."

What's another way to say "mount up" when referring to accumulation?

Alternatives to "mount up" in the context of accumulation include "accumulate", "build up", or "pile up". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "mount up" in formal writing?

While "mount up" is grammatically correct, its use in formal writing depends on the intended meaning and audience. For the figurative sense of accumulation, more formal alternatives like "increase" or "accumulate" may be more appropriate. For the literal sense, it is perfectly acceptable.