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start up

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start someone up (in something)

to help someone get a start in some enterprise. My uncle started me up in business. I started up my niece in the candy business.

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start something up

to start something, such as a car or some procedure. (Also without up.) It was cold, but I managed to start up the car without any difficulty. We can't start the project up until we have more money.

See also: start, up

start up

to begin; to begin running, as with an engine. The car started up without a problem. The engines of the plane started up one by one.

See also: start, up

start up

1. Begin to operate, especially a machine or engine, as in Start up the motor so we can get going. [First half of 1900s]

2. Move suddenly or begin an activity, as in When the alarm rang I started up. [Early 1200s]

3. Organize a new enterprise, as in Starting up a business requires considerable capital. [Second half of 1900s]

See also: start, up

start up

v.

To set something into motion, operation, or activity: I started up the car and let the motor run for a few minutes. When did you start this company up?

See also: start, up