ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bring up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to start talking about a specific topic or to raise a child until they are an adult.

phr. v.. to mention a subject in conversation or to care for a child until they reach maturity; transitive and often separable.


SIMPLE

Please don't bring up work during dinner.

CONTEXTUAL

She was brought up in a small village before moving to the city for university.

COMPLEX

The committee decided not to bring up the budget deficit until the final phase of the negotiations to avoid early conflict.

Origin

From Middle English bryngen up, dissimilated from Middle English upbryngen (“to bring up, raise”). Doublet of upbring.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
bring + object + up
Usage

separable when used for mentioning a topic; usually passive when referring to childhood upbringing.

Teaching tip

distinguish between the 'mention' sense and the 'raise a child' sense; note that 'upbringing' is the related noun for the latter.

Pitfall

He was bringed up by his aunt.He was brought up by his aunt.'Bring' is an irregular verb; the past participle 'brought' must be used in the passive voice.

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