The phrase "significant escalation" means a big and important increase in intensity, severity, or seriousness of a situation or conflict. Full definition
With GDP of $ 1.1 trillion — the fourth largest behind Germany, France and Italy — Spain is no peripheral economy, and its bailout would mark a significant escalation of the European debt crisis. (canadianbusiness.com)
A new study by Canadian tech innovator hub MaRS reported that tech companies in Toronto saw a significant escalation of... (marsdd.com)
The step represented a significant escalation of the E.C.B.'s efforts to get banks to lend more money, apply a jolt to the eurozone economy and head off the threat of a destructive decline in prices known as deflation. (nytimes.com)