come up

phrasal verb

The phrase "come up" is versatile and used in various contexts, from casual conversation to formal settings, with meanings ranging from approaching someone to unexpected occurrences.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B1General

To approach or move towards someone or something.

Example

She came up to me and asked for directions.

B2Conversation

To be mentioned or discussed.

Example

The topic of climate change came up during the meeting.

B2Unexpected Events

To occur or happen unexpectedly.

Example

A last-minute issue came up, and we had to postpone the event.

B2Time

To draw near in time.

Example

The deadline is coming up soon.

C1Legal

(formal)To appear before a judge or court.

Example

The case will come up for hearing next week.

C1Astronomy

(technical)To rise above the horizon.

Example

We watched the sun come up over the mountains.

C2British Slang

(informal, slang)To begin to feel the effects of a recreational drug.

Example

He started to come up about an hour after taking the pill.

C2British Education

(UK)To arrive at a university.

Example

She came up to Oxford for her first term.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "come up":

come up to come up with spring up come out bob up come forth come into come to come around come about come through come out with come upon go up bring up come up and bite rise above show up rise up turn up come across on the come well up come to a head come forward come at pop out ride up on come with pipe up move up come along come from come on to come down bubble up come over send up pop up get up work up come by front up jump up come away burst up coming through fetch up rise to the occasion run up on get up in stand up come off end up fall up step up come round head up come in hit upon climb up hop up cure up come under hot up go up for cook up coming on run up ride up come to hand spring out come on pull up bowl up trump up crease up kick up on the up come to life cough up come out in the wash meet up row up conjure up come from below grow up sneak up come into the world come after come to bat come it run into come for connect up look up come down to stick up bring up short break out see coming gob up come together rear one's head boil up come back lead up to cast up put up crop out stand up to turn out sit up bug up bear up catch up come before ante up work one's way up build up joke up spark up pitch up grow out of get it up stay up come on down drum up take up fight up