What does "run up" mean?

Make or become greater or larger, as in That offer will run up the price of the stock. [Late 1500s]

Accumulate, as in She ran up huge bills at the florist. [First half of 1700s]

Sew rapidly, as in I can run up some new curtains for the kitchen. [Mid-1800s]

Raise a flag, as in Let's run up the flag in time for the holiday. This usage, originating in the navy about 1900, gave rise to the slangy phrase, Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes, meaning, “Let's try this out.” The latter originated about 1960 as advertising jargon.