SpeakUp

bring out — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings
  1. 1 release a productto produce something new and make it available for people to buy or use.
  2. 2 make a quality noticeableto make a particular quality, ability, or emotion more obvious or easy to see in someone or something.
  3. 3 elicit responseto cause a particular reaction, feeling, or behaviour in someone, especially in a way that reveals their true character or emotions.
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

release a product

B1bring out sthMost common

to produce something new and make it available for people to buy or use.

Apple is planning to bring out a new smartphone next month.

A: Did you hear that the bakery is bringing out a new type of cake?
B: Really? I can't wait to try it!

If I owned a business, I would try to bring out innovative products every year to attract more customers.

Common mistake

Apple brought out with a new phone.

Apple brought out a new phone.

'Bring out' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

They've brought out a new phone.

launched it for sale

They've brought back an old model.

reintroduced it
Use 'bring out' when talking about companies or people making new products, books, or music available to the public.'Bring out' here is about making something available, not about physically removing something.

Often paired with

bring out + product
2

to make a particular quality, ability, or emotion more obvious or easy to see in someone or something.

Her teacher really knows how to bring out the best in her students.

A: That color really brings out your eyes.
B: Thanks! I chose it for that reason.

Good managers can bring out the strengths of their team members, which helps the company succeed.

Common mistake

That blue shirt brings out of your eyes.

That blue shirt brings out your eyes.

'Bring out' takes the object directly — no 'of'.

Tell it apart

That colour brings out your eyes.

makes them stand out

That colour washes you out.

makes you look pale and drained
Use 'bring out' when talking about showing someone's best qualities or making something stand out.'Bring out' here is about making something visible or clear, not about introducing a new product.

Often paired with

bring out + quality
3

elicit response

C1bring out the sth in sb

to cause a particular reaction, feeling, or behaviour in someone, especially in a way that reveals their true character or emotions.

The intense competition brought out the best in her, pushing her to achieve more than she thought possible.

A: I don't know why he was so rude last night.
B: Sometimes stressful situations just bring out the worst in people.

Group projects can bring out a range of responses in students, from strong leadership skills to unexpected conflicts.

Common mistake

She brings out the best of me.

She brings out the best in me.

'Bring out the best/worst IN someone', not 'of'.

Tell it apart

A crisis brings out the best in her.

draws out that quality

A crisis brings up old fears.

causes them to surface
'Bring out' in this sense is used to talk about how a situation, person, or experience can provoke or reveal a particular side of someone's character or emotions. It is common in evaluative and reflective speech and writing.Unlike the B2 sense, which is about making a quality noticeable, this sense focuses on provoking or eliciting a reaction or behaviour, often in response to a situation or another person.

Often paired with

bring out the best/worst in

Turn this into speaking practice

Practise one meaning at a time and save the ones you mix up for review.