Grammar fix
think up
invent or imagine (an idea, plan, or excuse)
To create or come up with something in your mind, such as a new idea, plan, or excuse.
phrasal verbB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She had to think up a good excuse for being late to the meeting.daily life
- In my opinion, students should be encouraged to think up creative solutions to problems rather than just memorizing facts.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: think up (something) | think (something) up
WrongHe thought up with an excuse.
RightHe thought up an excuse. / He came up with an excuse.
'Think up' takes the object directly (no 'with'); 'come up WITH' needs 'with'.
Patternthink up (something) | think (something) up
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Think up' is the everyday phrase; 'devise' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
think up + idea/excusean excusea planan ideaa name
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'come up with', which is similar but can be used more generally for any idea, not just invented ones.