dream up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Invent imaginatively
Why “up”? A new thing appears or is made.
“Who dreamed up this plan?”
“The team dreamed up a game for the party.”
Don't confuse with
Dream up means invent imaginatively. Dream about means have a dream featuring a subject.
Test yourself
“Who dreamed up this plan?” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
dream about
A contrast learners often mix up
Have a dream featuring a subject
build up
Same up pattern: making
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
come up
Same up pattern: making
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
conjure up
Same up pattern: making
Invent as if by magic
cook up
Same up pattern: making
Devise (often something dubious)
draw up
Same up pattern: making
Compose or formulate
make up
Same up pattern: making
Invent or fabricate
mix up
Same up pattern: making
Combine ingredients into something new
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