Phrasal verbs "bring back" vs "bring up"

Differences between bring back and bring up

Bring back means to return something or someone to a previous place or condition, while bring up means to raise or mention a topic or a child.

Meanings and Definitions: bring back vs bring up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Bring back

  • 1Cause someone to remember.

    Visiting my old school BROUGHT BACK memories of when I was a pupil there.

  • 2Return.

    He took the calculator home yesterday and hasn't BROUGHT it BACK yet.

Bring up

  • 1Mention.

    They didn't BRING the subject UP at the meeting.

  • 2Raise a child.

    My parents BROUGHT me UP strictly.

  • 3Be officially charged with a crime.

    He was BROUGHT UP on charges of public intoxication.

Usage Examples: bring back, bring up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

bring back

Example

Please bring back the book I lent you last week.

Example

She brings back the shopping cart after using it.

bring up

Example

She always brings up interesting topics during our meetings.

Example

He brings up important issues during the discussions.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Bring back

To go back to a previous place or condition.

Example

She decided to return to her hometown after living in the city for years.

To restore something to its previous position or status.

Example

The company decided to reinstate the old policy after realizing that the new one wasn't effective.

To get something back that was lost or left behind.

Example

He had to retrieve his phone from the lost and found at the airport.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Bring up

To refer to or speak about something briefly or casually.

Example

He mentioned his upcoming trip to Europe during the meeting.

To start talking about a new topic or idea.

Example

She introduced the concept of mindfulness during the yoga class.

To bring up a topic or issue for discussion or consideration.

Example

He raised his concerns about the project's timeline during the team meeting.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “back”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in bring back vs bring up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: bring back or bring up?

In daily conversation, people use bring up more often than bring back. This is because bring up is used for more common situations such as starting a conversation or mentioning a topic. Bring back is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about returning something or someone to a previous place or condition. So, while both phrases are used, bring up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of bring back and bring up

Bring back and bring up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of bring back and bring up

The tone of bring back and bring up can differ based on context. Bring back often carries a nostalgic or regretful tone when related to returning something or someone, while bring up typically has a neutral or curious tone, especially when referring to raising a topic or a child.

bring back & bring up: Synonyms and Antonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!