run up

What does "run up" mean?

1. To accumulate a large bill or debt
2. To quickly make something, especially a piece of clothing
3. To raise a flag
4. To approach someone quickly

Examples

• He ran up a huge credit card bill during the holidays.
• She can run up a dress in an afternoon.
• They ran up the flag at dawn.
• A child ran up to me and asked for directions.
• We've run up significant costs on this project.

How to use it

'Run up' a bill/debt is very common and usually has negative connotations. 'Run-up' (noun) refers to the period before an important event.

Word order

Object can go between: 'run a bill up' or after: 'run up a bill'. For approaching: 'run up to someone'.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• run by

  To tell someone about an idea to get their opinion

• run out

  To use all of something so there is none left

• run into

  To meet someone by chance

• run over

  To hit someone or something with a vehicle

• run away

  To leave a place or person quickly to escape

• run down

  To criticize someone unfairly