Hike sth up Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Hike sth up” Mean?

“Hike sth up” means to increase something, usually the price or cost, often suddenly or significantly. It is a phrasal verb used to describe raising amounts or levels.

Introduction

The phrase “hike sth up” is commonly used in everyday English, especially when talking about money, costs, or prices. Understanding the hike sth up meaning helps learners recognize when something is being raised, often unexpectedly or sharply. For example, if a company hikes up the price of a product, it means they increase the price. This phrasal verb is useful in many situations related to finance, expenses, or even emotions. Knowing how to use “hike sth up” correctly can improve your speaking and writing skills, making your English sound more natural and clear.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: hike something up
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to increase something, especially prices or costs

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Hike sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object either between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

• hike up the price
• hike the price up

The object is usually a noun or pronoun. If using a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the particle:

• They hiked it up last week. (Correct)
• They hiked up it last week. (Incorrect)

How to Use “Hike sth up”?

Use “hike sth up” when you want to talk about increasing something, especially prices, fees, or costs. It often implies a noticeable or sudden increase. It can also be used metaphorically for raising levels of emotions or tension.

Common subjects include prices, rent, taxes, or bills. You can also use it when describing a rise in temperature or rates.

Examples

When discussing the cost of living, people often say, “The landlord hiked up the rent.” Here are more examples showing hike sth up in a sentence:

• The store hiked up the price of bread after the shortage.
• They decided to hike the admission fees up for the concert.
• Gas companies hiked up fuel prices during the winter.
• Some governments hike taxes up to fund public projects.
• She hiked her voice up to get everyone’s attention.

Common Mistakes

People often confuse the word order or use the wrong object placement with “hike sth up.” Here are some examples to avoid:

• Incorrect: They hiked up it the price.
• Correct: They hiked the price up.
• Incorrect: The company hike the fees up.
• Correct: The company hiked the fees up.

Also, remember “hike” is a past tense verb when used in past forms: “hiked.”

Differences / Synonyms

Other phrasal verbs and expressions can mean similar things, but they have subtle differences. For example, “mark sth up” also means increasing prices but usually refers to adding a profit margin.

“Raise sth” is more general and formal, while “hike sth up” often suggests a sudden or large increase.

Synonyms:

• Raise prices
• Mark prices up
• Increase costs
• Boost fees

“Hike sth up” is more informal and commonly used in spoken English.

Common Collocations

We often use “hike sth up” with these common objects:

• Price: The amount asked for goods or services.
• Rent: Payment for using property.
• Tax: Government charges.
• Fee: Charges for services.
• Cost: The amount needed to buy or do something.

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “hike sth up”:

Anna: Did you see the new prices at the café?

Ben: Yes, they hiked the prices up last week. Coffee costs almost double now!

Anna: That’s too much. I might stop going there.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “hike sth up”:

• The government decided to _______ taxes _______ to fund education.
• After the storm, the hotel _______ its room rates _______.
• They _______ the rent _______ even though the apartment needs repairs.

FAQs

• What does “hike sth up” mean?

  It means to increase something, usually prices or costs.

• Is “hike sth up” formal or informal?

  It is more informal and often used in everyday spoken English.

• Can “hike sth up” be used with emotions?

  Yes, it can describe raising emotions, like tension or voice volume.
• Is “hike sth up” separable?

  Yes, you can put the object between the verb and particle or after it.

• What is a synonym for “hike sth up”?

  Synonyms include “raise,” “mark up,” or “increase.”