come up — to arise or occur unexpectedly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to arise or occur unexpectedly
Pronunciation (IPA): /kʌm ʌp/
Example Sentences
- My cat came up to the robot vacuum and declared war on it.
- A brilliant idea came up during our boring meeting.
- Every time we plan a picnic, rain comes up out of nowhere.
come up
VERB[/kʌm ʌp/]
to arise or occur unexpectedly
Fresh green sprouts come up through the soil after the spring rain.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines Old English 'cuman' (to come) and 'upp' (upward), originally meaning 'to move upward or approach'. Over time, the expression developed extended abstract meanings, becoming a productive phrasal verb in English with diverse semantic applications.
Breakdown
come (from Old English 'cuman', meaning to approach or arrive) + up (from Old English 'upp', meaning upward or above), forming a directional phrasal verb that evolved to convey both literal and figurative senses.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat came up to the robot vacuum and declared war on it.”
“A brilliant idea came up during our boring meeting.”
“Every time we plan a picnic, rain comes up out of nowhere.”
“The topic of homework came up at dinner, and suddenly everyone was full.”
“The sun comes up every morning, unlike my motivation.”
📚Related Words
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