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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | bringan |
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bring S1 W1
past tense and past participle brought
[transitive]
past tense and past participle brought [transitive]1
a) to take something or someone with you to the place where you are now, or to the place you are talking about [↪ take]: 
Did you bring an umbrella?
Did you bring an umbrella?b) to get something for someone and take it to them
bring somebody something Can you bring me another beer? Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check. While she was in prison, friends used to bring her books.
Can you bring me another beer?Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check.While she was in prison, friends used to bring her books. bring something/somebody to something/somebody He expects me to bring everything to him.
He expects me to bring everything to him.2
a) to make a particular situation exist or cause a particular feeling : The strikes are expected to bring chaos. The senator's speech brought an angry response from Civil Rights groups.
The strikes are expected to bring chaos.The senator's speech brought an angry response from Civil Rights groups.b) to cause someone or something to reach a particular state or condition The country had been brought to its knees (=caused to be in such a bad condition that it is almost impossible to continue).
bring something to an end/a close/a halt/a conclusion (=make something stop) The trial was swiftly brought to an end.
The trial was swiftly brought to an end.The country had been brought to its knees (=caused to be in such a bad condition that it is almost impossible to continue).3 [always + adverb/preposition] to make something move in a particular direction
bring something up/down/round etc Bring your arm up slowly until it's level with your shoulder. The storm brought the old oak tree crashing down.
Bring your arm up slowly until it's level with your shoulder.The storm brought the old oak tree crashing down.4 [always + adverb/preposition] if something brings people to a place, it makes them go there : The discovery of gold brought thousands of people to the Transvaal.
The discovery of gold brought thousands of people to the Transvaal. what brings you here? (=used to ask why someone is in a particular place) What brings you here on a night like this?
What brings you here on a night like this?5 to make something available for people to use, have, enjoy etc : The expansion of state education brought new and wider opportunities for working class children.
The expansion of state education brought new and wider opportunities for working class children. bring something to somebody/something The government is launching a new initiative to bring jobs to deprived areas.
The government is launching a new initiative to bring jobs to deprived areas. bring somebody something It's a good sign - let's hope it will bring us some luck.
It's a good sign - let's hope it will bring us some luck.6 if a period of time brings a particular event or situation, the event or situation happens during that time : The 1930s brought unemployment and economic recession. Who knows what the future will bring?
The 1930s brought unemployment and economic recession.Who knows what the future will bring?7 to begin a court case in order to try to prove that someone has done something wrong or is legally responsible for something wrong : Survivors of the fire later brought a billion dollar lawsuit against the company. The police say they are planning to bring charges against him.
bring charges/a lawsuit/a court case/a prosecution/a claim (against somebody)
Survivors of the fire later brought a billion dollar lawsuit against the company.The police say they are planning to bring charges against him.8 to make someone smile : Her words brought a sudden smile to his lips.
bring a smile to somebody's lips/face
Her words brought a sudden smile to his lips.10 used when saying what the new total etc is : This brings the total to 46.
bring the total/number/score etc to something
This brings the total to 46.11 to feel unable to do something because it would upset you or someone else too much : She still can't bring herself to talk about it.
cannot/could not bring yourself to do something
She still can't bring herself to talk about it.12 spoken used when saying that something is the next thing that you want to talk about
13 if a programme is brought to you by a particular television or radio company, they broadcast it or make it
14 to use something, for example your power, authority, or your knowledge, in a way that will have a big effect on something or someone : The full force of the law was brought to bear on anyone who criticized the government.
bring something to bear (on/upon something)
formalThe full force of the law was brought to bear on anyone who criticized the government.bring something ↔ about
phrasal verbHow can we bring about a change in attitudes?A huge amount of environmental damage has been brought about by the destruction of the rainforests.bring somebody/something ↔ along
phrasal verbYou're welcome to bring along a friend.I've brought some pictures along to show you.bring somebody/something around/round
phrasal verb1 to deliberately and gradually introduce a new subject into a conversation : I'll try to bring the conversation around to the subject of money.
bring the conversation around/round to something
I'll try to bring the conversation around to the subject of money.2 to make someone become conscious again : I slapped his face a couple of times to try to bring him round.
I slapped his face a couple of times to try to bring him round.3 to manage to persuade someone to do something or to agree with you : She won't listen to me. Let's see if Sue can bring her round.
She won't listen to me. Let's see if Sue can bring her round.4 to bring someone or something to someone's house : I'll bring the books around tomorrow.
I'll bring the books around tomorrow.bring back
phrasal verb1 to start to use something again that was used in the past [= reintroduce]: The city council has decided to bring back the old electric trams. Bringing back the death penalty has done absolutely nothing to reduce crime.
bring something ↔ back
The city council has decided to bring back the old electric trams.Bringing back the death penalty has done absolutely nothing to reduce crime.2 to make you remember something :
bring something ↔ back
3 to take something or someone with you when you come back from somewhere
bring something ↔ back
4 to return someone to their previous job or position of authority [= reinstate]: Following their latest defeat, soccer fans are urging the club to bring back the former manager.
bring somebody ↔ back
Following their latest defeat, soccer fans are urging the club to bring back the former manager.5 if something that is said brings you back to a particular subject, it is connected with that subject, so you will start talking about it again : This brings us back to the question of funding.
bring somebody back to something
This brings us back to the question of funding.bring somebody/something ↔ down
phrasal verb1 to reduce something to a lower level : The government hopes these measures will help to bring down inflation.
The government hopes these measures will help to bring down inflation.2TTA to fly a plane down to the ground [= land]: The pilot managed to bring the plane down safely.
The pilot managed to bring the plane down safely.3 to make a plane, bird, or animal fall to the ground by shooting at it : A bomber had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
A bomber had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire.4 to force a government or ruler to stop ruling a country : a crisis that could bring down the government
a crisis that could bring down the government5 to make someone fall over : He was brought down by the goalkeeper and awarded a penalty.
He was brought down by the goalkeeper and awarded a penalty.bring something ↔ down on/upon somebody
phrasal verbHis recklessness brought down disaster on the whole family.bring something ↔ forth
phrasal verba tragic love affair that brought forth only painbring something ↔ forward
phrasal verb1 to change an arrangement so that something happens sooner
2 to officially introduce plans etc for people to discuss : The government has brought forward new proposals to tackle the problem of increasing crime.
bring forward legislation/plans/policies etc
The government has brought forward new proposals to tackle the problem of increasing crime.3 to record the result of a calculation so that it can be used in a further calculation : The balance brought forward is £21,765.
The balance brought forward is £21,765.bring somebody/something ↔ in
phrasal verb1 to introduce a new law : Harsh anti-Trade Union laws were brought in in the early 1980s.
Harsh anti-Trade Union laws were brought in in the early 1980s.2 to ask someone to become involved in a discussion or situation : I'd like to bring in Doctor Hall here and ask him his views.
I'd like to bring in Doctor Hall here and ask him his views.3 to earn a particular amount or produce a particular amount of profit : The sale of the house only brought in about £45,000.
The sale of the house only brought in about £45,000.4 to attract customers to a shop or business : We've got to bring in more business if we want the restaurant to survive.
We've got to bring in more business if we want the restaurant to survive.5 to say officially in a law court whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime [= return a verdict]: The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
bring in a verdict
SCLThe jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.bring somebody/something into something
phrasal verb1 to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation : Most of the land has now been brought into cultivation. The work brought me into contact with a lot of very interesting people.
Most of the land has now been brought into cultivation.The work brought me into contact with a lot of very interesting people.2 to make someone become involved in a discussion or situation : The government is trying to bring teachers into the debate on education. There is a danger that this could bring other countries into the war.
The government is trying to bring teachers into the debate on education.There is a danger that this could bring other countries into the war.bring something ↔ off
phrasal verbThey managed to bring off the most daring jewellery robbery in history.bring something ↔ on
phrasal verb1 to make something bad or unpleasant happen [= cause]: Stress can bring on an asthma attack. What's brought this on? Have I upset you somehow?
Stress can bring on an asthma attack.What's brought this on? Have I upset you somehow?2 to help someone to improve or make progress : Teachers have to bring on the bright children and at the same time give extra help to those who need it.
Teachers have to bring on the bright children and at the same time give extra help to those who need it.3DLG to make plants or crops grow faster : Keeping the young plants in a greenhouse will help bring them on.
Keeping the young plants in a greenhouse will help bring them on.4 used to say that you are prepared and willing to deal with something bad that is likely to happen
bring it on
informalbring something on/upon somebody
phrasal verbYou have brought disaster on the whole village!bring somebody onto something
phrasal verbThis brings me onto the question of pay rises.bring something ↔ out
phrasal verb1 to make something easier to see, taste, notice etc : The spices really bring out the flavour of the meat. Fatherhood seems to have brought out the caring side of him.
The spices really bring out the flavour of the meat.Fatherhood seems to have brought out the caring side of him.2 to produce something that will be sold to the public : He's bringing out a new album next month.
He's bringing out a new album next month.3 to take something out of a place : Jenny opened the cupboard and brought out a couple of bottles.
Jenny opened the cupboard and brought out a couple of bottles.4 to make someone behave in the best or worst way that they can : Alcohol just brings out the worst in her.
bring out the best/worst in somebody
Alcohol just brings out the worst in her.5 to make someone feel more confident and able to talk to people : Changing schools has really brought her out of herself.
bring somebody out of himself/herself
Changing schools has really brought her out of herself.bring somebody out in something
phrasal verbMI if something brings you out in spots, it makes them appear on your skin : Any foods containing wheat bring him out in a rash.
Any foods containing wheat bring him out in a rash.bring somebody/something round
bring somebody through (something)
phrasal verbBoth my children have brought me through extremely difficult times since my husband died.bring somebody ↔ together
phrasal verb1 to arrange for people to meet and do something together : We brought together researchers from three different universities to work on the project.
We brought together researchers from three different universities to work on the project.2 to make people have a better relationship or feel closer to each other : Any attack by a foreign power will inevitably bring the people of a country together.
Any attack by a foreign power will inevitably bring the people of a country together.bring somebody/something ↔ up
phrasal verb1 to mention a subject or start to talk about it [= raise]: Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?
Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?2 to look after and influence a child until he or she is grown up [= raise]: He was brought up by his grandparents. ➔ upbringing
He was brought up by his grandparents.3TD to make something appear on a computer screen : Can you bring up the list of candidates again?
Can you bring up the list of candidates again?4 British English if you bring food up, it comes back up from your stomach and out of your mouth : I had a sandwich for lunch and promptly brought it up again.
I had a sandwich for lunch and promptly brought it up again.5 to charge someone with a particular crime and make them go to a court to be judged
bring somebody/something ↔ up before He was brought up before a magistrate, charged with dangerous driving.
He was brought up before a magistrate, charged with dangerous driving.6 to surprise someone and make them suddenly stop talking or doing something : Her question brought me up short.
bring somebody up short/with a start
Her question brought me up short.WORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE: 
bring, take, get, fetchbring means to carry something or come with someone to the place where you are or to the place where you are talking about • Would you like me to bring anything to the party? • She brought her Spanish friend into class.take means to carry something or go with someone to another place, away from where you are or where you are talking about • Don't forget to take your umbrella. • I'll take you home.get means to go to another place and come back with something or someone • I went upstairs to get my jacket. In British English, you can also use fetch • Will you fetch Susan from the airport? In American English, you only use fetch to talk about a dog getting something.
WORD CHOICE: bring, take, get, fetchbring means to carry something or come with someone to the place where you are or to the place where you are talking about • Would you like me to bring anything to the party? • She brought her Spanish friend into class.take means to carry something or go with someone to another place, away from where you are or where you are talking about • Don't forget to take your umbrella. • I'll take you home.get means to go to another place and come back with something or someone • I went upstairs to get my jacket. In British English, you can also use fetch • Will you fetch Susan from the airport? In American English, you only use fetch to talk about a dog getting something.
