step up the speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"step up the speed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to increasing the pace or efficiency of an action or process. Example: "We need to step up the speed of our production to meet the deadline." Alternative expressions include "increase the speed" and "boost the speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if at the same time we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain," she said on Monday.

The Guardian

"The UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if at the same time we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the UK," said May during her first bilateral visit outside Europe, which is part of an effort to lay the groundwork for future trade deals.

The Guardian

Step up the speed every day.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Before its corrosion and eventual demise, and before Southampton's finest brought it to Top of the Pops, garage was the sound of the second room at early 1990s jungle raves, and as the hungry junglists popped next door looking for something a bit quicker, garage stepped up the pace and became speed garage.

The Guardian - Music

But stepping up the pace to warp speed will only be possible if governments send the right signals to business, by putting the necessary policy incentives in place.

Huffington Post

Hayes stepped up the speed in the aggressive way the Brownlees planned to race.

The Guardian - Sport

The Commission is counting on online platforms to step up and speed up their efforts to tackle these threats quickly and comprehensively, including closer cooperation with national and enforcement authorities, increased sharing of know-how between online players and further action against the reappearance of illegal content.

TechCrunch

The New York State Police are stepping up enforcement of speed limits along an eight-mile stretch of the Southern State Parkway that the police described as having a high incidence of car crashes.

The New York Times

"At halftime, we all talked about stepping up on our speed, on our connecting and spreading out the field.

Los Angeles Times

Garcia, 24, said: "We knew Khan was going to come out fast because he thought I had no power but I waited and stepped up to use the power and speed I have, and it worked.

BBC

With winter snows already falling in northern Afghanistan, relief organizations have stepped up calls on the Bush administration to speed the safe delivery of food and other aid to tens of thousands of Afghans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "step up the speed", ensure the context clearly defines what is being accelerated. For example, "step up the speed of production" clarifies the area of improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "step up the speed" without specifying the subject. For instance, saying "we need to step up the speed" is vague. Instead, clarify by stating, "we need to step up the speed of data processing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "step up the speed" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of increasing the rate or velocity of something. Ludwig provides examples where it's used in contexts ranging from political negotiations to sporting events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "step up the speed" is a phrasal verb that denotes the act of accelerating or increasing the rate of something. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for a range of contexts, though it appears most commonly in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure the subject is clearly specified to avoid vagueness. While there are more formal alternatives such as "expedite the process", "step up the speed" strikes a good balance between informality and professional tone and can be used adequately in most cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the pace

Focuses on the rate of activity rather than the speed itself.

accelerate the rate

Highlights making something happen more quickly.

expedite the process

Emphasizes making a procedure faster and more efficient.

boost the velocity

Emphasizes the rate at which something moves.

quicken the tempo

Suggests an increase in the rhythm or rate of something.

enhance the swiftness

Implies improving the speed and agility.

raise the velocity

Focuses on increasing the rate of motion of an object.

intensify the tempo

Highlights a heightened rate or rhythm.

advance the quickness

Highlights the speed with which a task is done

amplify the rapidity

Highlights the accelerating speed

FAQs

What does "step up the speed" mean?

It means to increase the rate or velocity at which something is done, essentially making it faster or more efficient.

How can I use "step up the speed" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "We need to "increase the pace" of our efforts to meet the deadline."

What's a more formal way to say "step up the speed"?

A more formal alternative could be "expedite the process" or "accelerate the rate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "step up the speed" or "increase speed"?

"Step up the speed" is more of an idiomatic expression, while "increase speed" is more direct. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the desired tone and context.