come up

C

come up

Meaning

• to move toward someone.
• to come closer in time or space.
• to be mentioned or talked about.
• to find a new thought
• something unexpectedly happens.

Example Sentences

1. The team has come up with cost-saving ideas to cut the budget short.
2. This problem requires you to come up with a sustainable solution.
3. She comes up with excuses whenever she fails to finish work on time.
4. I helped come up with a thought to assist that old man.
5. The subject came up during a conversation.
6. I’m afraid something urgent has come up.
7. He came up to me and asked for water.
8. Never expect him to come up with a good idea.
9. Opportunities like this don’t come up every day.
10. There is a new position that has come up in the accounts department.
11. They couldn’t come up with a brilliant solution.
12. He will not be able to attend the meeting if something else comes up.

Origin

It is not recorded to physically start up anywhere and is the figurative use of the verb “come.” However, the literal basis of this idiom cannot be traced accurately, although there is a mention of it being first used before the 12th century.

See also: come up with

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