bringing-up
B2Formal to neutral; common in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in personal, educational, or journalistic registers.
Definition
Meaning
To care for and educate a child through their formative years; to raise or rear a child.
To mention or introduce a topic, idea, or subject in conversation; to nurture or develop something non-literal, such as an issue, skill, or characteristic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb (bring up someone/something). The object can be a person (a child) or an abstract concept (a topic). When referring to child-rearing, it implies a long-term, holistic process. When referring to topics, it suggests introducing something for discussion, often with a nuance of it being potentially delicate or unexpected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, especially for the child-rearing sense. American English may slightly prefer 'raise' for children, but 'bring up' is perfectly standard.
Connotations
In both varieties, the child-rearing sense can carry connotations of the methods, values, and environment provided. 'He was brought up strictly' implies a specific style of parenting.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties. The 'mention a topic' sense is equally common in professional and everyday contexts worldwide.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Someone brings up someone (e.g., a child).Someone brings up something (e.g., a topic).Something is brought up by someone.To bring someone up to do something.To bring someone up as + noun (e.g., a Catholic).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “brought up short (suddenly stopped)”
- “brought up in the school of hard knocks (learned through difficult experience)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"I hate to bring this up, but we need to discuss the budget overrun."
Academic
"The researcher brought up several methodological limitations in the discussion section."
Everyday
"She was brought up to always say 'please' and 'thank you.'"
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts unless discussing socio-technical issues like 'bringing up a new server' (IT jargon, different phrasal verb).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They brought up their children in the countryside.
- He's always bringing up his amateur football career.
American English
- She was brought up to be independent.
- Don't bring up politics at dinner, please.
adjective
British English
- The newly-brought-up system had some bugs. (Technical, different verb)
- Well-brought-up young man.
American English
- A poorly brought-up individual.
- The brought-up issue was tabled for later.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandparents brought up six children.
- Who will bring up the food?
- It's difficult to bring up teenagers in the digital age.
- She brought up an interesting point about sustainability.
- The way you were brought up profoundly shapes your worldview.
- The opposition brought up the minister's past comments during the debate.
- The study brings up pertinent questions about the ethics of genetic selection.
- He was brought up in the Quaker tradition, which explains his pacifist stance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a parent physically LIFTING (bringing UP) a child, providing everything they need to grow. For topics, picture someone lifting an idea UP onto the table for everyone to see.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHILD-REARING IS A JOURNEY UPWARDS (toward maturity). INTRODUCING AN IDEA IS MOVING IT TO A HIGHER, MORE VISIBLE LEVEL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'поднимать' for raising children; use 'воспитывать'. For topics, 'поднимать вопрос' is a good equivalent.
- Don't confuse with 'bring up' in computing (to start a system).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'grow up' incorrectly as a transitive verb (e.g., 'She grew up her children' – WRONG; correct: 'She brought up her children' / 'Her children grew up').
- Misspelling as 'bringup' or 'bringing-up' as a solid noun (the noun is hyphenated: 'upbringing').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bringing up' correctly in the sense of 'raising a child'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral. It is acceptable in formal writing (e.g., 'the issues brought up in the report') and common in everyday speech.
They are largely synonymous. 'Raise' is slightly more common in American English. 'Bring up' can sometimes sound slightly more formal or British, and may emphasize the cultural/educational aspect more.
The noun is 'upbringing' (e.g., 'She had a strict upbringing'). There is no noun 'bring-up'.
Yes, but this is an informal, medical, or child-related use (e.g., 'The baby brought up his milk'). In general contexts, the primary meanings are raising children or introducing topics.