bring up

Short definition: The phrase bring up means to mention a topic in conversation or to raise a child, depending on context, often referring to introducing something for discussion.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb bring up? This is a very common phrase in English, and it can mean several different things depending on context. It might refer to mentioning a topic, raising a child, vomiting, or even moving something upward. The meaning usually depends on who or what is involved in the sentence. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how bring up is used in everyday English.

Forms: bring up, brings up, brought up, bringing up
Related: upbringing n., raise v., mention v., introduce v.
Syllable: bring-up

1. (Verb) To mention or introduce a topic in conversation.

   To bring up something in conversation means to start talking about it, especially if it wasn’t already being discussed. Sometimes the topic can be sensitive or unexpected, and bringing it up may change the direction of the discussion.

   She didn’t want to bring up the argument again, but it was still bothering her.
   He decided to bring up the budget issue during the meeting.
   Why did you have to bring that up right in front of everyone?

   Synonyms: mention, introduce a topic, raise, refer to, bring into discussion, point out, bring forward, touch on, bring to attention, state, express, present
   Antonyms: avoid, ignore, skip, overlook, hide, conceal, suppress, leave out, keep quiet about, stay silent on, withhold, drop

2. (Verb) To raise and care for a child until adulthood.

   To bring up a child means to raise them, guide them, and take care of them as they grow. It involves teaching values, habits, and life skills. This meaning is often used when talking about parenting or childhood.

   She was brought up in a small town with strong family values.
   It’s not easy to bring up children in a big city.
   His grandparents helped bring him up after his parents moved abroad.

   Synonyms: raise, rear, nurture, care for, educate at home, parent, guide, support development, foster, teach values, look after, train
   Antonyms: neglect, abandon, ignore child, mistreat, disregard upbringing, fail to raise, desert, leave unsupported, spoil negatively, refuse care, mistend, mishandle parenting

3. (Verb) To cause something to appear on a screen.

   In technical contexts, bring up can mean opening or displaying something on a computer or device. It suggests activating or loading something so it becomes visible.

   Can you bring up the presentation on the screen?
   She brought up the file so everyone could review it.
   Press this button to bring up the settings menu.

   Synonyms: display, open, load, access, pull up, show on screen, activate, launch, retrieve, present digitally, view, reveal
   Antonyms: close, hide, minimize, exit, shut down, remove from screen, conceal display, delete view, clear, dismiss, turn off, collapse window

4. (Verb) To vomit.

   In informal or medical contexts, bring up can mean to vomit. It is often used in a softer way instead of directly saying “vomit.”

   The child brought up his lunch after feeling sick.
   She felt nauseous and nearly brought up her breakfast.
   He had to leave early because he brought up his dinner.

   Synonyms: vomit, throw up, be sick, regurgitate, expel stomach contents, retch, gag, puke, heave, spew, eject food, lose lunch
   Antonyms: digest, keep down, swallow, retain food, tolerate meal, hold stomach, process food, absorb nutrients, keep inside, settle stomach, stabilize digestion, consume calmly