taper up

USAGE SUMMARY

In written English, the phrase "taper up" is not a commonly used phrase and could be misinterpreted.
It is usually used in reference to a gradual increase in something such as sound or light. For example, "The light from the candle began to taper up, filling the room with a warm glow."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sheathed in glass and steel, KK100 boasts floor after floor of offices that taper up to a 250-bedroom hotel.

The Guardian - Arts

Yaks graze in the pastures, and the large, two-storey houses all have the same distinctive style: they gradually taper up to richly coloured and detailed eaves.

The Economist

The main belt armour would normally taper to a lesser thickness along the side of the hull towards bow and stern; it might also taper up from the central citadel towards the superstructure.

Wikipedia

When first taking Modafinil it is advised you start with a small dose (quarter of a tablet) and taper up day by day until you find a dose you feel comfortable at.

WikiHow

The canals prepared by means of a ProFile with a 6% taper up to the working length were excellent in taper and in maintaining the original curvature.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

We most commonly imagine a pyramid as having a square base, and sides that taper up to a single point, but the base of a pyramid can actually have 5, 6, or even 100 sides!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The assistance would be tapered up to and above $250,000.

The Guardian

Dundun was short and muscled, I was short and puny, and B.D. was the tallest man in the jail, with a thick body that tapered up toward freakishly narrow shoulders.

The New Yorker

"You want something with a wineglass on the bottom, to capture the aromas," he said, which "then tapers up a bit so you focus those aromas on the nose".

The New York Times

Now at its full height, rearing up beside the West Side Highway, it is one of the most arresting buildings Manhattan's regimented grid has ever seen, as well as one of the most commercially illogical: it tapers up to a tiny point, leaving only a handful of flats at the most lucrative upper levels.

The Guardian

Methylprednisolone pulses followed by prednisone was tapered up to 5 mg/day for a year, and MPO-ANCA-positive GD was considered to be in remission.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taper up" to describe a progression where there is a noticeable narrowing or reduction as something rises or increases.

Common error

Avoid using "taper up" when you simply mean "increase". The phrase implies a specific visual or structural change where something narrows as it rises or intensifies.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "taper up" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "taper", meaning to diminish or reduce in thickness towards one end, with the adverb "up", indicating direction or intensification. Ludwig indicates it's not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taper up" functions as a phrasal verb that describes a process of gradual increase or intensification, often associated with a narrowing or reduction. While grammatically acceptable, the expression is relatively rare and its usage is spread across News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. Ludwig indicates that it is not a very common phrase and suggests that it could be misinterpreted. When using "taper up", ensure that the intended meaning includes both the increase and the tapering aspect, avoiding its use when a simple increase is meant. As with any less common phrase, consider your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually increase

Focuses on the gradual nature of the increase, omitting the nuance of a narrowing shape or intensity.

incrementally raise

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the increase, removing the association with a conical form.

progressively elevate

Emphasizes the upward movement and forward progression, losing the tapering implication.

step up gradually

Adds an element of action, with a more active approach, losing focus on a static taper.

slowly augment

Underscores the slowness of the increase, diverging from the shape-related meaning of taper.

rise incrementally

Stresses the rising aspect, but discards the idea of narrowing or decreasing width.

build up gradually

Emphasizes the construction or accumulation aspect, omitting any reference to a taper.

scale up progressively

Highlights scaling, often in a business or technical context, lacking the physical shape component.

ascend gradually

Focuses purely on the upward movement, diverging from the tapering meaning.

increase steadily

Highlights the consistency of the increase, while losing the characteristic of the taper.

FAQs

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

You can use "taper up" to describe something that gradually increases in intensity or size while also becoming narrower, like "The sound of the music began to "taper up" as we approached the concert hall".

What does "taper up" mean?

"Taper up" describes a situation where something gradually increases while also becoming narrower or diminishing in some other aspect. It's often used to describe physical shapes or the intensity of something like light or sound.

What's the difference between "taper up" and "increase gradually"?

"Increase gradually" simply means to increase slowly over time. "Taper up", on the other hand, implies that something is not only increasing but also narrowing or diminishing in another aspect, adding a specific visual or structural element.

Is "taper up" formal or informal?

"Taper up" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. It appears in news articles, scientific papers, and casual writing, but is not a very common expression.