Come up with

Meaning

The idiom "come up with" means to generate new ideas, invent something or create a solution to a problem. It implies that the speaker is trying to think of a new or unique idea or approach, rather than simply adapting an existing one.

Usage

• I'm having trouble coming up with a plan for our team project. Can you help me brainstorm some ideas?
• When it comes to designing furniture, I love coming up with innovative solutions that are both functional and stylish.
• The chef always comes up with creative dishes that surprise and delight the customers.
• The marketing team needs to come up with a new campaign to increase sales before the end of the quarter.
• My daughter's science teacher encourages her students to think outside the box and come up with their own experiments.

Roots and History

The idiom "come up with" has been used since at least the 17th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It comes from the verb "come up", which means to move towards or appear at a particular place. In this context, it means to generate something new or unique, as opposed to simply adapting an existing idea or solution.

Synonyms in English

• Think of something/someone
• Generate an idea/approach
• Invent something/solve a problem
• Brainstorm ideas
• Devise a plan

Synonyms in other languages

• 生成 (Japanese)
• 創造 (Japanese)
• 想象 (Swedish)
• 學習 (Italian)
• 发明 (German)

Similar Idioms

• cloak and dagger

• call bluff

• come to a head