Run up
verb
To increase rapidly.
The costs of construction have run up significantly in recent years.

Often appears as...
- run up costs
- run up prices
verb
To accumulate a large bill or debt.
Bob ran up a huge bill at the bar last night.

Often appears as...
- run up a bill
- run up a debt
verb
To approach someone or something quickly.
The dog ran up to the stranger wagging its tail.

Often appears as...
- run up to someone
- run up to something
verb
To raise a flag quickly.
They ran up the flag as soon as they captured the fort.

Usage tips
Approving
Technical
verb
To sew something quickly.
She ran up a pair of curtains in no time.

Often appears as...
- run up a dress
- run up curtains
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To increase rapidly.
The costs of construction have run up significantly in recent years.

Often appears as...
- run up costs
- run up prices
verb
To accumulate a large bill or debt.
Bob ran up a huge bill at the bar last night.

Often appears as...
- run up a bill
- run up a debt
verb
To approach someone or something quickly.
The dog ran up to the stranger wagging its tail.

Often appears as...
- run up to someone
- run up to something
verb
To raise a flag quickly.
They ran up the flag as soon as they captured the fort.

Usage tips
Approving
Technical
verb
To sew something quickly.
She ran up a pair of curtains in no time.

Often appears as...
- run up a dress
- run up curtains
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 5

Economic Context
Used to describe quick increases in financial figures like expenses and costs.

The company's debts ran up rapidly due to poor management.
Quantitative Change
Implies a significant quantitative change, not just a minor one.

The game's popularity ran up the number of online players.
Economic Context
Used to describe quick increases in financial figures like expenses and costs.

The company's debts ran up rapidly due to poor management.
Quantitative Change
Implies a significant quantitative change, not just a minor one.

The game's popularity ran up the number of online players.
Economic Context
Used to describe quick increases in financial figures like expenses and costs.

The company's debts ran up rapidly due to poor management.
Quantitative Change
Implies a significant quantitative change, not just a minor one.

The game's popularity ran up the number of online players.
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