step up vs step to the fore

step up and step to the fore both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
step up	No	No	Yes	No
step to the fore	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, step up and step to the fore are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of step up include come forward, come out, come to the fore, step forward.

step up (verb)	step to the fore (verb)
increase in extent or intensity	make oneself visible; take action
speed up
make oneself visible; take action