Incur increasingly in the preliminary period (3-2)
I believe the answer is:
run-up
This clue could be a double definition.
'incur increasingly' is the first definition.
'run up' can be an answer for 'incur' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'increasingly' bit.
'preliminary period' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for run-up that I've seen before include "Cricketing approach?" , "Bowler's approach?" , "Approach - preliminaries" , "Preliminary period" .)