start up phrasal verb (see also start)

1. if you start up a business, company etc, or it starts up, it begins to exist:
Tax breaks help new companies start up.
start something ↔ up
Jordan started up a band of his own.

2. if an engine, car etc starts up, or you start it up, it begins working:
The driver got back into the car and started up.
start something ↔ up
Rory started up the engine and got the vehicle moving.

3. if a sound, activity, or event starts up, it begins to exist or happen:
The crickets had started up now that it was evening.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

I. ˈstart-up¹ adjective [only before noun]
connected with starting a new business:
start-up costs

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. start-up² noun [countable]
a new small company or business, especially one whose work involves computers or the Internet:
an Internet start-up

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

start up
to begin operating something, to begin to play/do something
My uncle started up a small business when he was 20-years old.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

start up something
to begin operating something, to begin to play/do something
My uncle started up a small business when he was 20-years old.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

start up
v.
1. To begin operating,
The driver started up the motor of the car.
The engine started up with a roar.
2. To begin to play (music).
The conductor waved his baton, and the band started up.
The orchestra started up a waltz.
Compare: STRIKE UP.
3. To rise or stand suddenly.
When he heard the bell, he started up from his chair.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲