step up security

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "step up security" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the need for increased vigilance or measures to protect something. For example, "In light of the recent incident, we need to step up security in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He promised to step up security around synagogues.

The New York Times

We need to step up security at our airports.

The New Yorker

A gated community near Atlanta has decided to step up security this week.

The New York Times

But the fear of terrorism prompted local authorities to step up security for days.

The New York Times

Now Aitutaki's image has been dented by the robbery and its three banks have been forced to step up security.

Independent

The administration has already been forced to step up security for both the men and their families.

Independent

Attempts to step up security have been complicated by recent splits within the mosaic of groups supporting Aqim.

Independent

Hundreds of extra police were drafted on to the streets to step up security and to reassure the public.

The Guardian

He added that the government had been taking steps in recent weeks to step up security at the centre.

The Guardian

This merely evades the issue, because the administration apparently didn't step up security against either domestic or overseas attacks.

The New York Times

The shooting on Tuesday had already prompted school officials to step up security in a district that had been using hand-held metal detectors, but only at random.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works well in both active and passive voice, though using the active voice (e.g. "the government will step up security") often sounds more authoritative.

Common error

Avoid using "step up security" when referring exclusively to fixing a software bug or vulnerability. While it is acceptable in a general sense, technical contexts often prefer terms like "patching vulnerabilities" or "hardening systems" to describe internal code improvements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "step up security" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the phrasal verb "step up" (meaning to increase the amount, speed, or intensity of something) and the noun "security" as its direct object. In the various examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears in the infinitive form following verbs like "vowed to", "decided to" or "forced to".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science & Academic

10%

Less common in

Personal Correspondence

5%

Creative Writing

3%

Technical Documentation

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "step up security" is a highly reliable and versatile English expression used to describe the act of increasing protective measures. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered Correct and is exceptionally common in high-authority media outlets. It effectively bridges the gap between everyday language and formal reporting, making it suitable for a wide range of professional contexts. Whether you are writing about international diplomacy, public safety or corporate policy, this phrase clearly communicates an escalation in vigilance. Alternatives like "bolster security" or "tighten security" can be used to add specific nuance, but "step up security" remains the most balanced choice for general professional use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolster security

implies making existing security stronger or more robust

increase security

a direct, neutral synonym for raising the level of protection

strengthen security

focuses on making security measures more effective and resilient

tighten security

suggests making access more restrictive or rules more rigorous

heighten security

frequently used in the context of alert levels and increased vigilance

reinforce security

implies adding additional support or personnel to existing structures

enhance security

suggests improving the quality or technological aspects of security

ramp up security

more informal and implies a rapid or significant increase in effort

beef up security

a common colloquialism for adding substance or strength to measures

augment security

a formal term meaning to add to or supplement existing measures

FAQs

How to use "step up security" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an increase in protective measures, for example: "Following the incident, the venue decided to "step up security" for the remainder of the festival."

What can I say instead of "step up security"?

Depending on your desired tone, you could use "bolster security" for a formal report, or "tighten security" if you are referring to stricter access controls.

Is "step up security" considered formal?

Yes, while "step up" is a phrasal verb, the full expression is widely used in professional journalism and government communications. For highly academic writing, you might prefer "enhance security measures".

What is the difference between "step up security" and "beef up security"?

While both mean to increase protection, "step up" is neutral and professional, whereas "beef up security" is more informal and idiomatic, common in casual conversation or tabloid headlines.