1 B2 informal
To increase an amount, price, or quantity.
"The restaurant bumped up its prices after the new chef arrived."
separable
bump up
B2 informal separable transitive
To increase an amount, raise someone to a higher rank, or upgrade someone to a better category.
In plain English
To move something up to a higher level, or to give someone something better than they paid for.
What does "bump up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To upgrade someone to a better class, seat, or position, often as a favour or due to availability.
"The airline bumped us up to business class because the economy cabin was overbooked."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To promote someone to a higher rank or level.
"She was bumped up to regional director after only two years with the company."
separable
Usage tip
Common in travel (upgrade to business class), business (raise a price or salary), and general informal speech. The idea is of a modest but meaningful upward movement. Often used in the passive ('he was bumped up').
Words that pair with "bump up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
price salary class seat upgrade order production
How to conjugate "bump up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bump up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bumps up
he/she/it
Past simple
bumped up
yesterday
Past participle
bumped up
have + pp
-ing form
bumping up
continuous
Hear "bump up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bump up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.