come up — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

come up

arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)

be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)

be about to happen

Meaning 1 · most common

arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)

come up sth

A scene showing “come up” meaning “happen unexpectedly”.

to happen or appear unexpectedly, especially when talking about problems, opportunities, or situations.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Sorry I’m late—something urgent came up at work.

A: Are you still coming to dinner tonight?
B: I hope so, unless something comes up at the last minute.

Common mistake

Not: Sorry, something came ~~up to me.~~

Say: Sorry, something came up.

'Come up' is intransitive here — no 'to me'.

More on “arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it’s important to have a backup plan in case any unexpected problems come up during your travels.

Tell it apart

A problem came up at work.

arose unexpectedly

We came up with a solution.

thought of one

Goes with

come up + arise

Practice saying this

Next meaning: be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)

Meaning 2

be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)

come up sth

A scene showing “come up” meaning “be mentioned”.

to be talked about or brought into a conversation or meeting.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Your name came up during the meeting yesterday.

A: Did the project deadline come up in the discussion?
B: Yes, we talked about it for a few minutes.

Common mistake

Not: The subject came up to the conversation.

Say: The subject came up in the conversation.

Topics come up 'in' a conversation, not 'to' it.

More on “be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was interviewed for the job, the topic of teamwork came up several times.

Tell it apart

Your name came up at dinner.

was mentioned

Something's come up — I can't make it.

a problem arose

Goes with

come up + in talk

Practice saying this

Next meaning: be about to happen

Meaning 3

be about to happen

be coming up

A scene showing “come up” meaning “happen soon”.

Usually 'be coming up': to be going to happen soon.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

My exams are coming up, so I'm studying every evening.

A: Any plans for the weekend?
B: Yeah, my sister's birthday is coming up, so we're having a family dinner.

Common mistake

Not: My exam is coming ~~soon up.~~

Say: My exam is coming up soon.

Keep 'coming up' together and put 'soon' after it.

More on “be about to happen”Another example · Tell it apart · Tip

Another example

I've got an important job interview coming up next week, so I've been practising my answers.

Tell it apart

My birthday's coming up.

it's soon

Your name came up in the meeting.

was mentioned

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

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

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)be about to happen