Crossword Genius

Increases gained on the way to the top (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steps up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'increases' is the definition.
(stepping up is a kind of increasing)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steps up that I've seen before include "Accelerates" , "Approaches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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