descend upon
B2 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
When a crowd or something big suddenly arrives somewhere all at once — a more formal way of saying 'descend on'.
Literal meaning: To come down physically onto something.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
formal
To arrive at a place suddenly and in large numbers, often overwhelmingly.
"A horde of reporters descended upon the courtroom steps to await the verdict."
"The hounds of spring are on winter's traces — she descended upon it."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
For something overwhelming or serious to suddenly affect a person or group.
"A terrible silence descended upon the room as the news sank in."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Identical in meaning to 'descend on'. 'Upon' gives a slightly more literary or serious tone. Preferred in written English and formal registers. More common in British English.
Commonly used with
the city the camp troops disaster reporters silence
Forms
Base
descend upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
descends upon
he/she/it
Past simple
descended upon
yesterday
Past participle
descended upon
have + pp
-ing form
descending upon
continuous
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Synonyms
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