come up

Formscomes up, coming up, came up, come up

Pluralcome ups

1. 1
   arise unexpectedlyphrasal verbidiomaticintransitive

   Of a problem or event, to happen or become known, often when no one expected it.

   Something came up at home, so I had to leave the party early.

   Call me if any problems come up while I'm away.

   Similararise, emerge, surface, happen

2. 2
   near in timephrasal verbintransitive

   Of an event, to be getting closer in time, so that it will happen soon.

   Her wedding is coming up in June.

   Exams are coming up, so the library is full every night.

   Similarapproach, near

3. 3
   approachphrasal verbintransitive

   To come near or walk toward someone or something.

   A little girl came up and asked if she could pet my dog.

   The waiter came up to our table with the menus.

   Similarapproach

4. 4
   rise (sun)phrasal verbintransitive

   Of the sun, the moon or a star, to rise into the sky.

   I like to watch the sun come up over the lake.

   The moon came up big and orange tonight.

   Similarrise

   Oppositeset

5. 5
   reach a heightphrasal verbintransitive

   To reach as high as a certain level.

   The snow came up to our knees.

   My little brother comes up to my shoulder now.

   Similarreach, rise

6. 6
   phrasal verbintransitive

   To be shown to have a certain value, quality or level.

   The coin came up heads three times in a row.

   She was afraid the test would come up positive.

   Note
7. 7
   soon be atphrasal verbintransitive

   To be getting close to a certain time or planned event.

   It's coming up on noon, so let's stop for lunch.

   We're coming up on the news right after this song.

   Similarapproach, near

   Note
8. 8
   phrasal verbintransitive

   To be brought to people's attention, or to arrive or appear.

   The topic of money came up at dinner, and everyone went quiet.

   When your number comes up, go to the front desk.

   Similararise, surface

9. 9
   go higher (place)phrasal verbintransitive

   To move up to a higher place, or up toward where someone is.

   Can you come up the stairs and help me carry this box?

   A big fish came up to the top of the water.

   Similarrise, ascend, surface, climb

   Oppositedescend

10. 10
    become successfulphrasal verbslangintransitive

    To do well or become successful.

    My cousin has really been coming up since he started his own business.

    Everybody wants to come up, but it takes hard work.

    Similarrise, succeed

    Note

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