Escalate

Escalate

A short documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

ESS-kuh-late   /ˈɛskəleɪt/

Definition

To increase rapidly in intensity, magnitude, or seriousness; or to pass an issue upward to a higher level of authority for resolution.

Plain meaning

To get bigger or more serious fast — or to push a problem up to someone with more authority to handle it.

Register

Neutral and modern. At home in newsrooms, boardrooms, support tickets, and casual conversation.