1 B1 neutral
To increase prices, rates, or costs significantly and often suddenly.
"The airline hiked up its fares by 30% over the summer holiday period."
separable
hike up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To raise something such as prices or clothing sharply or by a large amount.
In plain English
To raise something — like prices or a piece of clothing — by a lot, often in one quick movement.
What does "hike up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To pull or lift a piece of clothing upward, especially in a quick or rough movement.
"She hiked up her jeans before wading across the shallow stream."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move something upward with a hiking (pulling) motion.
Actually means
To raise something — like prices or a piece of clothing — by a lot, often in one quick movement.
Usage tip
Has two main uses: (1) raising prices or quantities sharply, often used in news and economic reporting; (2) pulling clothing upward. Both are common in everyday speech and writing.
Words that pair with "hike up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
prices taxes rates skirt trousers wages fees
How to conjugate "hike up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hike up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hikes up
he/she/it
Past simple
hiked up
yesterday
Past participle
hiked up
have + pp
-ing form
hiking up
continuous
Hear "hike up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hike up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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