1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To accumulate a large debt, bill, or total of costs
"She ran up a huge credit card bill during the holiday season."
separable
run up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To accumulate a debt or bill, to sew something quickly, or to raise a flag
In plain English
To build up a big debt or bill, to quickly make something by sewing, or to put a flag up a pole
What does "run up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To make something (usually clothing) quickly by sewing
"She ran up a Halloween costume for her son the night before the party."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To raise a flag on a pole
"They ran up the national flag to mark the beginning of the ceremony."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To run in an upward direction — the idea of numbers 'going up' is a natural metaphor
Actually means
To build up a big debt or bill, to quickly make something by sewing, or to put a flag up a pole
Usage tip
The debt sense is the most common in everyday life. 'Run up a tab' is very common at bars and restaurants. The sewing sense ('run up a dress') is common in British English among people who sew.
Words that pair with "run up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
debt bill tab flag dress costs
How to conjugate "run up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
run up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs up
he/she/it
Past simple
ran up
yesterday
Past participle
run up
have + pp
-ing form
running up
continuous
Hear "run up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "run 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.