ENGLISH
REFERENCE

conjure up

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to make a picture, memory, or idea appear in your mind. you can also use it when you create something quickly, like a meal, from very little.

phr. v.. to evoke a mental image or idea; to produce or create something as if by magic or with limited resources.


SIMPLE

The smell of the ocean conjures up memories of my childhood.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite having an almost empty fridge, he managed to conjure up a delicious pasta dish for his guests.

COMPLEX

The author's vivid descriptions of the Victorian era conjure up a world of soot-stained streets and flickering gaslight.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
conjure + up + object
Usage

transitive; the object can be an abstract concept like a memory or a physical thing like food.

Teaching tip

anchor the meaning with the image of a magician (a conjurer) pulling a rabbit out of a hat to help students remember the 'creating from nothing' aspect.

Pitfall

The music conjures memories up.The music conjures up memories.while technically optional, the particle 'up' almost always stays next to the verb when the object is a long noun phrase.

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