crop up
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When something suddenly appears or happens that you didn't plan for.
Literal meaning: Like a plant crop growing up through the soil — something appearing from nowhere.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To happen or appear suddenly and unexpectedly, especially a problem or issue.
"I can't make dinner tonight — something has cropped up at work and I need to stay late."
"Things crop up. Unforeseen things."
— Harold Pinter, 'The Caretaker' (1960)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To be mentioned or come to attention during a conversation or discussion.
"Her name keeps cropping up in our meetings — she must be very well connected."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common in both British and American English. Typically used for situations, topics, problems, or names that appear without being planned. Almost always used with abstract subjects rather than physical objects.
Commonly used with
problem issue name topic opportunity question
Forms
Base
crop up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crops up
he/she/it
Past simple
croped up
yesterday
Past participle
croped up
have + pp
-ing form
croping up
continuous
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