go up

You can use it for almost anything that increases. Use it for prices, temperatures, or even building construction. When a new skyscraper is being built, we say the building is going up. You do not need a complicated object after it. Just say 'The price went up' and everyone understands. It is a 'phrasal verb,' so the past tense is went up and the perfect tense is gone up.

Use it when you see a trend moving toward the sky. Use it at the grocery store when eggs are suddenly pricey. Use it in a meeting to talk about sales numbers. It is perfect for talking about the weather too. If you are hiking, you are literally going up the mountain. It is a safe, 'all-rounder' phrase for daily life.

Do not use it for your personal mood or feelings. We usually say 'my spirits lifted' or 'I feel better.' Also, do not use it for speed. For cars, we say 'speed up' or 'accelerate.' Using go up for a fast car sounds a bit like the car is flying into space! Avoid it for volume too; use 'turn up' for your music.

In Western culture, 'up' is almost always positive. High numbers usually mean success. However, go up is neutral. If your bills go up, that is bad news! In big cities like New York or London, you will hear people say 'A new block of flats is going up.' This usually means the neighborhood is changing or getting more expensive. It is the sound of a growing city.

Sometimes we use go up to someone. This means physically walking toward them to talk. You might go up to a stranger to ask for directions. Another variation is go up in flames. This is a dramatic way to say something burned down or a plan failed completely. Stick to the basic go up for prices and levels first!