move up

move to a higher position, level, or rank

B1

What does "move up" mean?

To move up means to advance to a higher position, level, or rank within a structured system. This could be a career, a sports league, an organisation, or even an academic level. For example, an employee might move up from junior to senior, or a football team might move up in the table after a winning streak. What makes this phrasal verb useful is that it is neutral — it does not suggest that the progress was fast or slow, easy or difficult. It is equally natural in conversations, news articles, and professional writing.

Examples

How to use it

subject + move up

The most common structure — no object is needed because 'move up' in this sense is intransitive.

She worked consistently and eventually moved up.

move up + the ladder / the ranks / the hierarchy

These hierarchical phrases are the most natural collocates and help signal the career or rank meaning.

He moved up the ranks quickly after joining the organisation.

move up + to + position or level

Use 'to' to specify the destination — the new position or level reached.

After three years, she moved up to a senior management role.

move up + in + place or organisation

Use 'in' to say where or within what system the advancement happens.

He's hoping to move up in the company before the end of the year.

move up + a grade / a level / a division

Use this pattern when the advancement is measured in clear steps or categories.

The team won enough games to move up a division this season.

Common Collocations

move up the laddermove up the ranksmove up quicklymove up in the companymove up to a senior rolemove up a level

Common Mistakes

Confusing with 'move something up'

The intransitive 'move up' means to advance in rank. The transitive 'move something up' means to reschedule something to an earlier time. These look similar but mean completely different things.

✗ She moved up the meeting to get a promotion.
✓ She moved up through the company and earned a promotion.
Using it for prices or quantities

'Move up' is not natural when talking about prices, temperatures, or numbers rising — use 'go up' in those cases. 'Move up' is best for people, teams, or things advancing within a hierarchy.

✗ The price of oil moved up by 10% last week.
✓ The team moved up to second place in the league last week.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written contexts. It is especially common in professional and sports settings, and often pairs with hierarchical phrases like 'the ladder' or 'the ranks'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'move up' always mean a career or work situation?

No — it can describe advancement in several different systems. You can move up in a sports league table, move up a grade at school, or move up through a social hierarchy. The key idea is advancing within any kind of structured ranking or level system.

Can 'move up' be used in the passive, like 'She was moved up'?

Not in this sense. Because 'move up' here is intransitive — it has no object — it cannot be used in the passive. The subject always performs the action themselves, for example: 'She moved up to a director-level role.'

Is there a difference between 'move up the ladder' and 'move up the ranks'?

'Move up the ladder' is often used for career progression in general, especially in professional or corporate settings. 'Move up the ranks' tends to suggest a more formal or structured hierarchy, such as the military, police, or a large organisation. In everyday speech, both are common and the difference is small.

Can I use 'move up' for a team or organisation, not just a person?

Yes, absolutely. Teams, departments, and organisations can all move up. For example, 'The club moved up to the top division' or 'The company moved up in the industry rankings' are both natural uses of this phrasal verb.

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