level up

Meaning

Originally from video games, this phrase means to advance to a higher level, improve your skills, or upgrade your lifestyle. It is used casually to talk about self-improvement, career progression, or making something much better than it was before.

Examples

• I need to level up my cooking skills if I'm going to host Thanksgiving dinner this year.

  I need to level up my cooking skills if I'm going to host Thanksgiving dinner this year.

• She really leveled up her career by getting that project management certification.

  She really leveled up her career by getting that project management certification.

• After saving up for months, he finally leveled up his gaming setup with a new monitor.

  After saving up for months, he finally leveled up his gaming setup with a new monitor.

• You need to level up your wardrobe before you start your new job at the law firm.

  You need to level up your wardrobe before you start your new job at the law firm.

• The team managed to level up their performance in the second half of the tournament.

  The team managed to level up their performance in the second half of the tournament.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She leveled up her English skills to a new level.

  ✓ She leveled up her English skills.

  The phrase 'level up' already implies moving to a higher level, so adding 'to a new level' is redundant.

• ✗ He decided to up-level his lifestyle.

  ✓ He decided to level up his lifestyle.

  While 'uplevel' is sometimes used in corporate jargon, the standard phrasal verb is 'level up'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to get promoted, you really need to ___ your public speaking skills.

  💡 improve or upgrade

  Show answer

  level up

• She decided to ___ her skincare routine by adding a high-quality serum.

  💡 upgrade

  Show answer

  level up