WordWeb Online

1. The act of increasing something
   - increase

1. Increase in extent or intensity
   "The Allies stepped up the bombing"
   - escalate, intensify
    
2. Speed up
   "let's step up production"
   - rev up
    
3. Make oneself visible; take action
   "Young people should step up and help their peers"
   - come to the fore, step forward, come forward, step to the fore, come out

Derived forms: stepping up, step-ups, steps up, stepped up

Type of: act, change of magnitude, increase, move

Encyclopedia: Step up