shift it up

USAGE SUMMARY

"shift it up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to increasing, elevating, or moving something to a higher position or level. For example, "Please shift it up a notch for the presentation." Alternative expressions include "raise it," "elevate it," and "lift it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It still causes a sudden influx of most unOLED-like greyness if you shift it up just three our four levels from its 50 default, and it still starts to cause black crushing and light balance issues if pushed as little as six or seven levels below 50.

Forbes

But shift it up the Valleys.

The Guardian

Given a source Pitch, shift it up octaves until it is above the target.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"My big concern, to be absolutely frank, is that we've got up to about 30% and the danger is that we will plateau at 30% unless we really look at what it is going to take to shift it up further".

The Guardian

Time will tell whether adding the 80 or so million cars that are produced every year into the mix will shift it up a gear or stall on the driveway.

BBC

Neil – You may need to scape some of the top off in the spring and put fresh soil on so you wouldn't have to shift it up a pot size.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Pick it up and shift it towards the light, and you will see small bits of glitter like tiny stars.

Huffington Post

Australia's score is slightly better than last year, but not enough to shift it very far up the rankings.

The Guardian

Being that the retirement paradigm has shifted, it is up to us to control our own destiny and be responsible for funding our own retirement.

Huffington Post

We'd shifted one up, we'd just shift it back down.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This demonstrates that even small CS/CR changes can affect the mutant selection window, correspondingly shifting it down or up.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift it up" to suggest a gear change, or an intensification in an activity or process. It works best when you want to convey a sense of progress or increased effort. For instance, "In the last half of the race, I'll stay patient and then shift it up another gear."

Common error

Avoid using "shift it up" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically sound, it carries a slightly informal tone. Opt for more precise and elevated alternatives like "increase it" or "raise it" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift it up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It usually means to increase the intensity, speed, or level of effort applied to something. Ludwig examples show usage in contexts like racing, production, and general improvement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

21%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shift it up" is a phrasal verb typically used to convey an increase in intensity, effort, or speed. It's grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, most commonly found in News & Media. Although versatile, its informal tone suggests it's best suited for conversational and less formal writing contexts. More formal alternatives such as "increase it" or "elevate it" may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Be sure to consider the context when deciding whether "shift it up" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase it

Focuses on a general rise in quantity or level, less idiomatic.

raise it

Implies lifting something to a higher position; less versatile.

elevate it

More formal, suggesting a promotion or enhancement.

boost it

Suggests increasing something's power or effectiveness.

turn it up

Specifically implies increasing the volume or intensity of something.

crank it up

Informal; to increase something with enthusiasm or force.

move it higher

More literal, describing physical relocation to a higher position.

advance it

Suggests moving something forward, often in terms of progress.

upgrade it

Implies improving something's quality or status.

intensify it

Focuses on strengthening or deepening something's effect or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "shift it up" in a sentence?

You can use "shift it up" to describe increasing effort, intensity, or gear. For example, "We need to "shift it up" a gear if we want to win this race."

What are some alternatives to "shift it up"?

Alternatives include "increase it", "raise it", or "elevate it" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is "shift it up" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "shift it up" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "enhance it" or "augment it".

When is it appropriate to use "shift it up" rather than "increase it"?

"Shift it up" implies a change in gear or intensity, often in a process or activity. "Increase it" is more general and simply means to make something larger or more numerous. Choose "shift it up" when you want to emphasize the dynamic aspect of increasing something.