brew up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “brew up” mean?
To prepare a pot or large amount of hot tea or coffee by steeping the leaves or grounds in hot water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To prepare a pot or large amount of hot tea or coffee by steeping the leaves or grounds in hot water.
1. (British) To make tea. 2. (Informal) To be developing or about to happen, often something unpleasant or significant (e.g., trouble, a storm, a plan). 3. (British, informal) To stop for a break to make and drink tea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal sense of making tea is predominantly British. An American would likely say 'make (some) coffee/tea' or 'put the coffee on.' The figurative sense ('trouble is brewing up') is understood but less frequent in American English than the simple 'brew'.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries connotations of domesticity, comfort, and taking a break. In the figurative sense shared by both, it connotes a gradual, inevitable process, often with negative undertones.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech for the literal sense. Low-to-medium frequency in US English; the simple verb 'brew' is preferred ('brew coffee', 'a storm is brewing').
Grammar
How to Use “brew up” in a Sentence
[Subject] brew up [Object: a pot/some tea/trouble][Subject] brew up (intransitive, especially figurative)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brew up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's brew up before the meeting.
- I could tell an argument was brewing up.
- He's in the kitchen brewing up.
American English
- A real controversy is brewing up over the new policy.
- (Less likely for tea) She brewed up a pot of coffee for everyone.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used literally. Figuratively: 'Rumours of a merger are brewing up.'
Academic
Extremely rare; would be considered informal.
Everyday
Common in UK: 'I'll just brew up before we leave.' Common figurative: 'Looks like rain is brewing up.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brew up”
- Using 'brew up' for a single cup (more natural for a pot).
- Using it in formal writing.
- Saying 'brew up a beer' (incorrect; beer is 'brewed', not 'brewed up').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for coffee as well ('brew up some coffee'), but it is most stereotypically associated with tea in British English.
Yes, especially in British informal English. 'I'm just going to brew up' is perfectly understood to mean 'make tea/coffee'.
Often interchangeable in the figurative sense. For the literal sense, 'brew' is more general (brew beer, brew coffee), while 'brew up' specifically implies the preparatory action of making a hot drink, usually for more than one person.
It is informal and neutral-to-friendly in tone. It is not rude, but it would be out of place in a formal document or a high-end restaurant setting.
To prepare a pot or large amount of hot tea or coffee by steeping the leaves or grounds in hot water.
Brew up: in British English it is pronounced /bruː ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /bru ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Brew up a storm”
- “Brew up trouble”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a witch BREWING UP a magical potion in a cauldron; it takes time and things bubble up. Making tea is like a gentle, friendly version of this.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREPARING A DRINK IS ALCHEMY/CREATION. DEVELOPING EVENTS ARE FERMENTING LIQUIDS (e.g., trouble brews up).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'brew up' MOST naturally used in British English?