Crossword Genius

Where builder might have faith, back of ladder being held — step up (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

increment

'up' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for increment that I've seen before include "Step" , "Small addition to salary etc" , "Small change" , "growth" , "Rise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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