What are the definitions of “conjure up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Create a picture or memory in someone's mind.
It CONJURES UP memories of my school days.
- 2Create something without many resources.
I had to CONJURE UP a full weekend's entertainment for the visitors with no notice at all.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “conjure up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb conjure up is to create a picture or memory in someone's mind. It often refers to the act of remembering or imagining something vividly. For example, it can mean recalling a specific memory or imagining a scene in your mind.
What are the different verb forms of “conjure up”?
| Root Verb | conjure up |
| Third Person Singular Present | conjures up |
| Present Participle | conjuring up |
| Simple Past | conjured up |
| Past Participle | conjured up |
Example
The smell of fresh bread conjures up memories of my grandmother's kitchen.
Example
The sound of the ocean conjures up images of a tropical paradise.
Example
She is conjuring up a story to tell the children at bedtime.
Example
He conjured up a vivid picture of the city in his mind.
Example
The music conjured up feelings of nostalgia.
What kind of phrasal verb is “conjure up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“conjure up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The smell of fresh bread conjures up memories of my grandmother's kitchen.
Example
The sound of the ocean conjures up images of a tropical paradise.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“conjure up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The smell of fresh bread conjures up memories of my grandmother's kitchen.
Example
The sound of the ocean conjures up images of a tropical paradise.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “conjure up”?
Good things to know
Does “conjure up” have an informal or formal tone?
Conjure up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal writing or presentations, depending on the specific context.
