Phrasal verb
speed up
To speed up means to do something faster or to make a process happen more quickly.
Meanings
to go faster or move faster
to make something happen sooner or to make a process faster
Definition
To speed up means to increase how fast something happens. You can speed up your own actions, like working or moving faster, or you can speed up a process, like a delivery or a computer task. It is often used when you want to reduce the time something takes.
Examples
- Please speed up—we’re going to miss the train.
- I tried to speed up my typing before the deadline.
- He had to speed up to merge safely into traffic.
- They’re hiring more staff to speed up the shipping process.
Common mistake
Learners often say "speed up faster" even though "speed up" already means "go faster."
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.