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trade up

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

swap what you have for something better

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

to exchange something you own for something better or more expensive

"After a few years, they traded up to a larger house."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

to move to a higher-quality option or market level

"As their income rose, many customers began to trade up."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common with cars, homes, and consumer goods; also used figuratively for better opportunities.

Commonly used with

car house phone apartment model property

Forms

Base
trade up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
trades up
he/she/it
Past simple
traded up
yesterday
Past participle
traded up
have + pp
-ing form
trading up
continuous

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Synonyms

upgrade move up step up go for something better improve

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