1 C1 formal
To cause a price to rise by placing higher and higher bids in competition with others.
"Overseas buyers bid up the price of the apartment far beyond what local residents could afford."
separable
bid up
C1 formal separable transitive
To cause the price of something to increase by placing or encouraging progressively higher bids at an auction or in competition.
In plain English
To make something cost more money by bidding higher and higher amounts.
What does "bid up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
To artificially or speculatively push up the value of stocks, assets, or currencies through aggressive buying.
"Traders bid up technology stocks throughout the morning session."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bid in an upward direction (i.e., higher).
Actually means
To make something cost more money by bidding higher and higher amounts.
Usage tip
Common in financial journalism, property reports, and auction reporting. Often used in the passive: 'shares were bid up'. Opposite of 'bid down'. Can imply speculation or artificial inflation.
Words that pair with "bid up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
price shares property stocks cost value
How to conjugate "bid up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bid up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bids up
he/she/it
Past simple
bided up
yesterday
Past participle
bided up
have + pp
-ing form
biding up
continuous
Hear "bid up" in the wild
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