bring up
B1Neutral to informal. The 'vomit' meaning is decidedly informal.
Definition
Meaning
To raise a child or to introduce a topic into discussion.
To mention or introduce something for consideration; to raise a child, providing care and education; to cause something to appear on a screen or display; to vomit (informal usage).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrasal verb is separable ('bring up a topic', 'bring a topic up'). The primary meanings are care/education and introduction of a subject. Context is crucial for disambiguation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Bring up' (vomit) is more common in British English. The verb 'raise' is more frequently used for children in American English, though 'bring up' is perfectly understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'bring up a child' implies nurturing and education. 'Bring up a point' is neutral.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English across all meanings. The child-rearing sense faces more competition from 'raise' in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP bring up NP (She brought up three children.)NP bring NP up (He brought the matter up.)NP bring up NP PP (They brought me up to be honest.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “born and brought up in...”
- “don't bring it up!”
- “bring up the rear (to be last)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in meetings to introduce new agenda items or data. 'I'd like to bring up the Q3 sales figures.'
Academic
Used to introduce a theory, argument, or point for discussion in papers or seminars. 'The author brings up a valid methodological concern.'
Everyday
Extremely common for discussing child-rearing or mentioning something in talk. 'She was brought up in London.' 'Sorry to bring up bad news.'
Technical
In computing, to open a window or display a file. 'The program will bring up the dialog box.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was brought up to respect his elders.
- She suddenly brought up a rather awkward topic.
- The smell of the fish brought his dinner up.
American English
- They brought up their kids in the Midwest.
- I need to bring up the budget at the next meeting.
- Can you bring up the patient's file on the screen?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My parents brought me up in a small village.
- Please don't bring up that story again!
- It's difficult to bring up children on your own.
- Who brought up the idea of a team lunch?
- The report brings up several issues we must address.
- Brought up in a strict household, she valued discipline.
- The interviewer deliberately brought up the scandal to unsettle the candidate.
- The software brings up a warning if the data is inconsistent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine physically lifting (bringing up) a topic from your notes onto the meeting table, or lifting a child up to help them grow.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (you 'bring them up' into the space of discussion). DEVELOPMENT IS UP (a child is 'brought up' to a higher state of maturity).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'приносить вверх'. For 'mention', use 'упоминать' or 'поднимать вопрос'. For 'raise a child', use 'воспитывать' or 'растить'. The computing meaning aligns with 'вызывать' (окно).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'educate' as a direct synonym (it's only part of 'bring up'). Incorrect word order: 'I brought up it' instead of 'I brought it up'. Confusing with 'grow up' (intransitive).
Practice
Quiz
In a business meeting, 'bring up' most likely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bring up' is transitive (someone brings up a child). 'Grow up' is intransitive (the child grows up). Parents bring up children; children grow up.
Yes, in the senses of 'mention/introduce (a topic)' or 'raise (a child)' it is acceptable in formal contexts. The 'vomit' meaning is strictly informal.
Object pronouns (me, you, it, him, her, us, them) must go between the verb and the particle: 'bring it up', NOT 'bring up it'.
For child-rearing, they are largely synonymous, though 'raise' is more common in American English. For topics, 'bring up' and 'raise' are synonyms, but 'bring up' is more common for initial mention.