Bring up

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1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation

Bring up (phrasal verb) = to mention or introduce a topic in conversation, to raise or care for a child, or to cause something to appear or rise to a higher position.

“Bring up” is a remarkably versatile phrasal verb with several distinct meanings that share the idea of making something rise, appear, or emerge.

The most common meaning is to mention a topic in conversation. When you “bring up” something, you introduce it into the discussion — you make it appear in the conversation. “Don’t bring up politics at dinner” means don’t start talking about that sensitive subject. “I need to bring up a problem with my boss” means I need to raise or mention an issue. This usage is about making a topic visible and present in dialogue.

The second major meaning is to raise a child — caring for, educating, and guiding them from childhood to adulthood. “She brought up three kids on her own” means she raised them, parented them, shaped who they became. This is about nurturing someone through their development. People often say “well brought up” to mean someone was raised with good manners and values.

A third meaning is literal physical movement upward — bringing something from a lower position to a higher one. “Bring up the luggage from the basement” means carry it upstairs. This literal sense appears less often but connects to the metaphorical meanings through the idea of elevation.

In digital contexts, “bring up” means to make something appear on screen — “bring up the document,” “bring up the website.”

Examples from the street:

• “I don’t want to bring up the past, but we need to discuss what happened” → I don’t want to mention previous events, but we must talk about them
• “My grandparents brought up four children during the war” → my grandparents raised four kids during that difficult period
• “Can you bring up that file on your computer?” → can you make that document appear on your screen?

2. Most Common Patterns

• bring up + topic/subject/issue → mention or introduce something in conversation
• bring someone up → raise a child
• bring up + question/point/matter → raise something for discussion or consideration
• bring up + file/document/website → make something appear on screen
• well/badly brought up → raised with good/poor manners and values
• bring something up with someone → discuss a matter with a specific person
• don’t bring up → avoid mentioning (often used as a warning)

3. Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms directly containing “bring up” — these are related expressions:

• raise the subject → introduce a topic for discussion (synonymous with bring up a topic)

  Example: “I hate to raise the subject, but we need to talk about your performance.”

• open a can of worms → bring up a topic that will create complicated problems

  Example: “Mentioning his ex-wife really opened a can of worms at dinner.”

4. Example Sentences

1. I need to bring up the budget issue at tomorrow’s meeting

   → I must mention and discuss the financial problem during the gathering.

2. She was brought up in a small village in rural Ireland

   → She was raised and spent her childhood in a tiny community in the countryside.

3. Don’t bring up his divorce — it’s still a sensitive topic

   → Avoid mentioning his marriage ending because it remains an emotionally difficult subject.

4. Can you bring up the spreadsheet so we can review the numbers?

   → Can you make the data file appear on screen so we can examine the figures?

5. His parents brought him up to respect his elders

   → His mother and father raised him with the value of showing deference to older people.

6. I was afraid to bring up my concerns during the presentation

   → I felt nervous about mentioning my worries while the talk was happening.

7. She’s very well brought up — always polite and respectful

   → She was raised with excellent manners and consistently demonstrates courtesy.

8. He brought up an interesting point about climate change

   → He mentioned a thought-provoking idea regarding environmental issues.

9. They brought up five children in a two-bedroom apartment

   → They raised five kids to adulthood while living in very limited space.

10. I’ll bring it up with my manager and see what she says

    → I’ll discuss this matter with my supervisor and get her response.

5. Personal Examples

1. Teachers should bring up any student concerns at staff meetings

   → Educators must mention and discuss learner issues during faculty gatherings.

2. Mahir was brought up speaking both Turkish and English, which helps his language learning

   → He was raised using two languages from childhood, which benefits his linguistic development.

6. Register: Neutral

✔ Native usage tips

• “Bring up” for mentioning topics is extremely common in everyday conversation
• “Bring someone up” (raise a child) is universal but “raise” is equally common
• “Well brought up” is a somewhat old-fashioned but still used compliment about someone’s upbringing
• “Don’t bring up…” is often a warning about sensitive topics to avoid in conversation
• “Bring up with someone” specifies who you’ll discuss the matter with
• In digital contexts, “pull up” is equally common for making things appear on screen
• The phrasal verb is separable when using pronouns: “bring it up” not “bring up it”

✔ Similar expressions / words

• Mention → refer to something briefly; “bring up” is more about introducing for discussion
• Raise → bring up a topic OR raise a child; direct synonym for both main meanings
• Introduce → bring a new topic into conversation; similar but more formal than “bring up”
• Rear → raise children; more formal and old-fashioned than “bring up”
• Broach → raise a difficult topic; more formal than “bring up” and implies sensitivity