1. The act of increasing something
   "he gave me a step-up in salary";
   - 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 [informal]
    
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, stepped up, step-ups, steps up

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

Encyclopedia: Step up