First of all, go up has a literal meaning, which is used when someone or something physically goes from a lower place to a higher place:
- Go up the stairs and the director’s office is on the left.
- I don’t think I can go up that hill. I’m too tired.
- The cat has gone up the tree. How are we going to take her down?
Or when talking about travelling north:
- We’ll be going up to Norway for a short trip next week.
But it can also be used figuratively:
- Prices have gone up since last year. (become higher)
- Interest rates are likely to go up as well. (become higher)
And some of its meanings have nothing to do with “high”:
EXPLODE
- After the crash, the car went up in flames.
- The entire shop went up when a spark lit the petrol.
APPROACH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
- Just go up to him and ask him out. What’s so difficult about that?
- Carol went up to the counter and demanded to see the manager.
BE BUILT
- In the 90s, high-rise buildings went up all over the city.
- A new swimming-pool will go up here soon.
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