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bubble up

B2 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To come up to the top slowly, like bubbles in a fizzy drink.

Literal meaning: For gas or air bubbles to rise upward through a liquid.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

For a liquid or gas to rise to the surface in bubbles.

"Hot springs make water bubble up naturally from underground."

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

For an emotion, memory, or feeling to rise gradually into consciousness or become apparent.

"Old memories started to bubble up as soon as she heard the song."

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

For an idea, trend, or issue to emerge from a lower level and gain attention or importance.

"Concerns about data privacy have been bubbling up in the tech community for years."

Usage notes

Used both literally (of liquids, gases) and metaphorically (of emotions, memories, ideas). The metaphorical use is very common in journalism and literary writing.

Commonly used with

laughter memories anger ideas water feelings

Forms

Base
bubble up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bubbles up
he/she/it
Past simple
bubbled up
yesterday
Past participle
bubbled up
have + pp
-ing form
bubbling up
continuous

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Synonyms

well up surface emerge rise up come up percolate

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