run it up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To keep spending money until you owe a lot
Literal meaning: To run something upward — metaphorically, a number going up
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To accumulate a large debt or bill by spending freely
"They ran it up to over two thousand dollars at the casino in one night."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
(idiomatic) To propose or test an idea to see how others react — used in the phrase 'run it up the flagpole'
"Let's run it up the flagpole and see if the board approves."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The pronoun 'it' typically refers to a bill, tab, or debt. Common in social settings ('run up the tab'). Also used in the phrase 'run it up the flagpole' meaning to test an idea.
Commonly used with
tab bill debt score flagpole total
Forms
Base
run it up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs it up
he/she/it
Past simple
ran it up
yesterday
Past participle
run it up
have + pp
-ing form
running it up
continuous
Understand "run it up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "run it up" on Looplines