come up

/kʌm ʌp/
phrasal_verbIntermediate to arise or be mentionedphrasal verb
informal

to arise or be mentioned

The topic of climate change came up in the conversation.

The topic of climate change was discussed in the conversation.

An opportunity came up for me to travel abroad.

An opportunity to travel abroad presented itself to me.

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Often used to describe something that arises unexpectedly or is mentioned in conversation.

informal

to approach or reach a certain point

The deadline is coming up soon.

The deadline is approaching soon.

The train is coming up to the station.

The train is approaching the station.

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Used to indicate that something is approaching or nearing a specific point in time or space.

informal

to be promoted or advance in status

She came up in the company quickly.

She was promoted quickly in the company.

He came up through the ranks.

He advanced through the ranks in his career.

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Used to describe someone's advancement or promotion in a career or organization.

informal

to be produced or manufactured

A new model of the car is coming up.

A new model of the car is being produced.

The company is coming up with a new product.

The company is developing a new product.

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Used to describe the production or development of something new.

informal

to be mentioned or discussed

The issue came up in the meeting.

The issue was discussed in the meeting.

His name came up in the conversation.

His name was mentioned in the conversation.

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Used to describe something that is mentioned or discussed in a conversation or meeting.

Collocations

come up withto think of or produce somethingcome up againstto face or encounter a difficultycome up toto reach or approach a certain point

Related Phrases

come up withphrasal verb
to think of or produce something
come up againstphrasal verb
to face or encounter a difficulty
come up tophrasal verb
to reach or approach a certain point

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'come up' can vary significantly depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the situation to determine the correct interpretation.

Common Usage

In everyday conversation, 'come up' is often used to describe something that arises or is mentioned, such as 'A new idea came up during the meeting.'

Advancement

When used to describe someone's career, 'come up' means to be promoted or advance in status, as in 'She came up in the company quickly.'

Gold Rule

Clarity

Always ensure that the context makes it clear what 'come up' refers to, as its meaning can be ambiguous without additional information.

Formality

While 'come up' is commonly used in informal contexts, it can also be used in formal settings, especially when describing the emergence of ideas or the approach of events.

📖Word Origin

The phrase 'come up' is a combination of the verb 'come' and the preposition 'up', which together form a phrasal verb with multiple meanings. The verb 'come' indicates movement or arrival, while the preposition 'up' can indicate direction, improvement, or advancement.

📝Usage Notes

The phrasal verb 'come up' is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe the emergence of ideas, the approach of events, or the advancement of individuals. It is commonly used in informal and everyday language.

Word Breakdown

come
to move or arrive
root
+
up
direction, improvement, or advancement
preposition
English Dictionary