Source : WordNet®

step up
     v 1: increase in extent or intensity; "The Allies escalated the
          bombing" [syn: {escalate}, {intensify}] [ant: {de-escalate}]
     2: speed up; "let's rev up production" [syn: {rev up}]
     3: make oneself visible; take action; "Young people should step
        to the fore and help their peers" [syn: {come to the fore},
         {step forward}, {come forward}, {step to the fore}, {come
        out}]