What does "step up" mean?

Question

Japan steps up cooling operation. This is from BBC.

Alain Pannetier Φ · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-17 11:11:59Z

7

In this context, to work more intensely on cooling operations. The idea is to go "one step higher" on the scale of effort.

Same idea in "to crank up" (intensify).

answered Mar 17, 2011 at 11:05

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avpaderno · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-17 13:39:35Z

3

to step something up means "to increase the amount, speed, or intensity of something."

Police decided to step up security plans for the game.

In the context of the reported sentence, it means they are cooling the reactor more (to increase the amount, or intensity).

answered Mar 17, 2011 at 13:30

avpaderno

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luwi · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-26 05:42:01Z

0

to step up means to stand against a challenge.

answered Nov 26, 2014 at 5:42

luwi

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