1 B1 neutral
To improve something so that it meets a required standard or level.
"The manager worked overtime to bring the department's performance up to the required standard."
separable
bring up to
B1 neutral separable transitive
To raise or improve something until it reaches a required or desired level or standard.
In plain English
To make something as good as it needs to be, or to tell someone about the latest information.
What does "bring up to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To give someone the latest information so they are fully informed (especially in the fixed phrase 'bring up to speed' or 'bring up to date').
"Can you bring me up to date on everything that happened while I was away?"
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically raise something until it reaches a particular point — extended to mean raising a quality or level of knowledge.
Actually means
To make something as good as it needs to be, or to tell someone about the latest information.
Usage tip
Very commonly used with 'standard', 'speed', 'date', or 'scratch'. The phrase 'bring up to speed' and 'bring up to date' are extremely frequent fixed expressions. Can refer to physical quantities (bring the temperature up to 200°) or performance levels.
Words that pair with "bring up to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
standard speed date scratch code level
How to conjugate "bring up to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bring up to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
brings up to
he/she/it
Past simple
brought up to
yesterday
Past participle
brought up to
have + pp
-ing form
bringing up to
continuous
Hear "bring up to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bring up to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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