V-ERG (使)扩大;(使)恶化;(使)升级 If a bad situation escalates or if someone or something escalates it, it becomes greater in size, seriousness, or intensity. (使)扩大;(使)恶化;(使)升级 [journalism]
Both unions and management fear the dispute could escalate. [VERB]
工会和管理层都担心争端会恶化。
The protests escalated into five days of rioting. [VERB + into]
抗议升级为为期5天的骚乱。
Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict. [VERB noun]