average up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘average up’ mean?
The idiom "average up" means to increase or bring up a numerical average by adding higher numbers or scores to the existing ones.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "on average" means the typical or usual amount or quality of something when considering all the different instances or occurrences.
The idiom "lead up to" means to precede or prepare for something, typically an event or action. It implies a progression or sequence of events that culminate in the main event or action.
The idiom "keep up" means to maintain the same level or pace, or to continue at a sufficient rate. It can refer to staying informed or being able to match or compete with others.
The idiom "keep it up" means to continue doing something with the same effort and determination. It is often used to encourage or praise someone for their persistence or hard work.
The idiom "juice up" means to energize or increase the power, intensity, or excitement of something or someone. It can be used in various contexts, such as charging a device, adding energy to a situation, or even enhancing performance.
An idiom that means to gain momentum or build up force, often used in the context of a person or group gathering energy or enthusiasm for a task or goal.
"Have up" is an idiom that means to reprimand or scold someone, typically in a stern or serious manner. It implies holding someone accountable for their actions and expressing disapproval or displeasure towards them.
The idiom "grand total" means the final sum or amount, usually of a series of numbers or quantities, representing the total or overall result.
The Remarkable Revelation
The idiom *average up* is used in a variety of contexts and has a specific meaning that may not be immediately clear to those unfamiliar with its usage. It is a phrase that originated in the stock market and is often used in financial and business contexts.
When used in the stock market, *average up* refers to buying additional shares of a stock at a higher price than the initial purchase price to increase the overall average cost of the shares. Investors do this when they believe the stock will continue to rise in value and want to increase their position.
Beyond the stock market, *average up* can also describe increasing the average or overall level of something. For example, in a sports team, a coach may encourage players to *average up* their performance by improving their individual skills and contributing more to the team's overall success. Similarly, in a group project, one may *average up* their contributions by taking on more responsibility and doing a better job.
The idiom *average up* can be traced back to the early 20th century, specifically to the world of finance and investing. The term *average* in this context refers to the mathematical calculation of the average price or value of a set of numbers. The use of *up* suggests an increase or improvement, indicating that the average is being raised or elevated to a higher level.
One possible interpretation of the idiom is that it encourages individuals to strive for excellence and continuously improve their performance or position. By *averaging up*, one is taking steps to increase their overall level or average, whether it be in the stock market or other areas of life. However, it is worth noting that the idiom is not always used in a positive sense. In some instances, it can also imply an increase in risk or high expectations that may not be met.
The idioms *bump up* and *add up* are related to the idiom *average up* in that they all involve the concept of increasing or raising something. While *average up* specifically refers to increasing the average or overall level, *bump up* and *add up* have slightly different meanings.
When we say we want to *bump up* something, we mean that we want to increase or raise it. This can be used in various contexts, such as a teacher wanting to *bump up* a student's grade or a producer wanting to *bump up* the volume of a song. In these cases, *bump up* signifies a desire to make something better or higher.
The idiom *add up* also conveys the idea of increasing or raising something. *Add up* can be used when we want to increase the sum or total of something. For example, if expenses *add up* over time, it means they are increasing or becoming more significant. Similarly, if someone's actions or behavior *add up*, it means they are contributing to a particular outcome or result.
The idiom *average up* means to increase the average or overall level of something, particularly in the stock market. It originated in the early 20th century and has since been used in various contexts to encourage improvement and excellence. The related idioms *bump up* and *add up* also involve the concept of increasing or raising something, but with slight differences in meaning. All three idioms highlight the versatility and adaptability of language, allowing us to convey complex ideas in a concise and memorable way.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "average up" can be used in sentences: 1. "I bought more stocks to average up my investment and increase my potential profits." 2. "She decided to average up her grades by studying more diligently for the final exams." 3. "In order to improve her batting average, the baseball player focused on practicing every day to average up her performance."
The idiom "average up" is commonly used to describe the act of increasing or improving something to reach a higher level or standard. In the first example, the speaker is referring to buying more stocks to raise the average price they paid, thereby potentially increasing their profits. In the second example, the speaker mentions a student wanting to improve their overall grade by putting in more effort and studying harder for the final exams. The third example involves a baseball player aiming to improve their batting average by practicing consistently and striving to raise their performance level.
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