bump up

bump up idiom
  1. Suddenly increase, as in Oil-producing nations decided to bump up the price of oil. This term is used mainly for prices or other figures. [Colloquial; 1930s]
  2. Give a promotion. For example, Kevin hoped to be bumped up to first class, or After five years, she expected they would bump her up to vice-president. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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