start up(redirected from starting it up)
1. To begin functioning, operating, or running. I fixed the carburetor—see if the engine starts up now. I like to have my coffee and read the headlines of the paper while my computer starts up.
2. To cause something to begin functioning, operating, or running. Start the car up now so it has a chance to warm up before we get in. I can't start the computer up until these updates finish installing.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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?