go up
High (B1)Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
to move or travel from a lower position to a higher position.
To increase in level, amount, or value; to be raised, erected, or built; to attend a university; (in theatre) to forget one's lines; (of a siren/alarm) to sound.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A versatile phrasal verb functioning as a single lexical unit. The meaning is highly dependent on context and the noun it collocates with (e.g., go up in flames, go up to university, prices go up).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'go up' commonly means to begin attending university (especially Oxford or Cambridge) or to travel to a major city (often London). In AmE, 'go up' for university attendance is less idiomatic; 'go off to college' is more common. 'The curtains go up' is standard theatrical language in both.
Connotations
In BrE, 'going up' to university carries a traditional, slightly formal connotation. In both varieties, 'go up' for prices has a negative connotation for consumers.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in BrE due to the specific university usage. The core meaning of physical ascent and price increase is equally frequent in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + go up[Subject] + go up + [Adverbial (to/in/into)][Subject] + go up + [by/from/to + amount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go up in smoke”
- “go up the wall”
- “go up in flames”
- “what goes up must come down”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Profits are expected to go up by 5% this quarter.
Academic
The graph shows how atmospheric CO2 levels have gone up steadily.
Everyday
Can you go up to the attic and fetch the old photo albums?
Technical
If the pressure goes up beyond this threshold, the safety valve will activate.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He will go up to Cambridge in October.
- The lift isn't going up; we'll have to take the stairs.
- House prices have gone up again.
American English
- The balloon went up quickly after release.
- If costs go up any further, we'll cancel the project.
- The curtain goes up at 8 PM sharp.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The kite went up into the sky.
- Bread has gone up in price.
- Go up the stairs and turn left.
- Smoke was going up from the chimney.
- He went up to London for a job interview.
- Our rent is going up next month.
- Inflation has gone up by three percentage points.
- She went up to Oxford to study law.
- The actor went up and forgot his line.
- Tensions between the two countries have gone up a notch.
- The new building will go up on the site of the old car park.
- Their ambitions went up in smoke after the market crash.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hot air balloon: to GO UP, it needs hot air (an increase).
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD IS UP / MORE IS UP (e.g., 'spirits went up', 'prices went up').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not literally translate 'go up the stairs' as 'идти наверх по лестнице' when just 'подниматься по лестнице' suffices.
- Avoid using 'go up' for abstract 'increase' where a single verb like 'rise' or 'increase' is more formal (e.g., 'Interest rates increased').
- Confusion with 'grow up' (about people/plants).
Common Mistakes
- *The elevator is going up to the fifth floor. (Redundant 'to' with floor number; 'going to the fifth floor' is sufficient)
- *My salary went up with 10%. (Incorrect preposition; use 'by 10%')
- *I go up early every day. (Confusion with 'get up')
Practice
Quiz
In British English, what is a specific meaning of 'go up'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'go up' is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'go the price up'.
The most direct opposite is 'go down'. Others include 'fall', 'decrease', and 'drop'.
Yes, informally. For example, 'A cheer went up from the crowd' or 'The alarm went up.'
'Rise' is more formal and a single verb. 'Go up' is a phrasal verb and more common in everyday speech. They are often interchangeable (Prices rose/went up).