stepping up

USAGE SUMMARY

"stepping up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is being performed more vigorously or intensively, such as "She is stepping up her efforts to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That's really stepping up".

The New York Times - Sports

Bottega is stepping up!

The New York Times

Siddle stepping up here.

The Guardian - Sport

They're stepping up their terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

He thanked Smothers for "stepping up".

The New Yorker

My sense is it is stepping up".

The New York Times

Now we are stepping up our game".

Independent

Someone was stepping up his game!

The New York Times

Businesses are stepping up, too.

The New York Times

That's what stepping up meant to me.

The New York Times - Sports

-- before stepping up to the podium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stepping up" when you want to convey an increase in effort, responsibility, or performance in a clear and concise way. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "stepping up" in contexts where a literal upward movement is intended. For physical actions, use phrases like "climbing" or "ascending" instead. The expression "stepping up" should generally imply increased effort or responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stepping up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an increase in effort, responsibility, or performance. It's often used to describe someone actively improving or taking on more duties, as evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples showcasing enhanced terrorist attacks or increased business engagement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "stepping up" is a common and versatile way to describe an increase in effort, responsibility, or performance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid using it in literal contexts involving physical upward movement. Alternatives such as "taking initiative" or "raising the bar" can be used to add nuance to the intended meaning. Overall, "stepping up" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking initiative

Implies proactively starting or leading an action.

raising the bar

Suggests setting a higher standard or expectation.

going the extra mile

Conveys exceeding expectations through additional effort.

enhancing performance

Focuses on improving the quality of work or output.

shouldering responsibility

Highlights accepting duties and obligations.

intensifying efforts

Emphasizes a greater application of energy and resources.

boosting performance

Highlights raising the level of execution.

accepting the challenge

Signifies willingly facing a difficult task.

showing leadership

Indicates taking a leading role to positively influence a group.

taking the reins

Suggests assuming control or management.

FAQs

What does "stepping up" mean?

The phrase "stepping up" generally means to take more responsibility, increase effort, or improve one's performance in a particular task or situation. It implies a proactive and positive change.

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

You might say, "The team needed someone to take charge, and she decided to start "stepping up" /s/stepping+up." or "After realizing his mistakes, he resolved to start "stepping up" /s/stepping+up his efforts."

What can I say instead of "stepping up"?

You can use alternatives like "taking initiative", "raising the bar", or "going the extra mile" depending on the context.

Is "stepping up" formal or informal?

"Stepping up" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding context than the phrase itself.