SpeakUp

Meaning trap

come up

be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)

to be talked about or brought into a conversation or meeting.

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)

to be talked about or brought into a conversation or meeting.

come up (arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation))

Another meaning of 'come up' is 'arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

View meaning map

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Your name came up during the meeting yesterday.study
  • When I was interviewed for the job, the topic of teamwork came up several times.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: come up (subject: topic, issue, question)

WrongThe subject came up to the conversation.

RightThe subject came up in the conversation.

Topics come up 'in' a conversation, not 'to' it.

Patterncome up (subject: topic, issue, question)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Your proposal was raised during the discussion.

Natural Your proposal came up in the meeting.

For a topic surfacing in talk, 'come up' is natural; 'was raised during the discussion' is minutes-speak.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • come up + in talk
    in conversationat the meetingyour namethe subject

Don't confuse it

Different from 'bring up', which means to introduce a topic on purpose.

Try it in Daily Speak →