My experience with the language of growers/gardeners/nurserymen is a bit different.
The professionals that I have met and had discussions with have taught me to say "pot up" when I place small plants/seedlings/rooted cuttings into individual pots for the first time; to say "up-pot" when moving the plants to a slightly larger pot; to say "re-pot" when discarding most of the old planting medium, trim back the roots and put the plant into a pot with new medium.
Back to the original question, removing and replacing the old soil/medium probably won't kill most plants but you are wise to take cuttings as you have to insure that you can have replacement plants.
