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Run Up

What Does "Run Up" Mean?

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"Run up" is an English idiom. It means "to accumulate or create a large amount of something, often debt, expenses, bills, or charges, in a relatively short period of time."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run up" used in a sentence:
  • They ran up a substantial credit card debt during their vacation, spending beyond their budget.
  • The unexpected medical bills caused them to run up significant expenses, impacting their financial stability.
  • Running up excessive costs on unnecessary purchases can lead to financial problems in the long run.
meaning for run up

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Run Up" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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