ramps up
Builds momentum quickly
Ramps up means to increase in intensity, scale, or pace.
Production ramps up to meet demand.
Criticism ramps up before an election.
The image is of ascending an incline—gradual but steady acceleration: The company is ramping up hiring ahead of the holiday season.
The opposite is ramp down.
- gear upPrepare for activity
- escalateIncrease in severity
- steps upIncreases or takes responsibility
- expandIncrease in size
- expediteSpeed up a process
boost · cranks up · intensify · turns up the heat · mobilize · accelerate · proliferate · enlarge · hasten · surge · picks up steam · heighten · quicken · reinforce · augment · amplify · multiply · propel
ramps upwinds down
Gradually decreases activity
scales back · dials back · tones down · tapers off · dies down
ramps upscales down
Reduces in proportion
downsizes · cuts back · phases out · winds down · contracts
ramps upslows down
Reduces velocity progressively
decelerates · tapers off · peters out · stalls · plateaus