To cause something, usually something negative, to happen to oneself or another person through one's own actions.
To make something bad happen to yourself or someone else because of what you did.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To cause something unpleasant or harmful to fall on oneself through one's own actions or decisions.
"He brought disgrace upon himself by lying to the committee."
You have brought this upon yourselves.
— Common formal/literary phrasing; appears in various political speeches and dramatic works
To cause something negative to happen to another person as a result of one's actions.
"The reckless decision brought suffering upon the entire community."
Typically used with negative consequences: disaster, shame, ruin, trouble. Most often reflexive ('brought it upon himself/herself/themselves'). Formal and somewhat literary in tone. 'Bring down upon' is a close variant.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "bring upon" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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