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sprout up

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To grow up fast or to start appearing in lots of places, like plants growing from seeds

Literal meaning: To sprout (grow like a plant) upward — fully transparent

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

Of plants, to grow up from the ground, especially quickly

"After the rain, mushrooms had sprouted up all over the lawn."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

Of buildings, businesses, or trends, to appear in many places rapidly

"New apartment blocks are sprouting up all along the riverside."

Grammar: inseparable
3 A2 informal

Of a child, to grow noticeably taller in a short period

"I hadn't seen my nephew in a year and he'd really sprouted up!"

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used both literally (plants, children growing quickly) and figuratively (buildings, businesses, ideas emerging). The botanical image of a seedling pushing upward is central to the metaphor. Often used to describe rapid urban development or a trend appearing in many places.

Commonly used with

weeds buildings businesses children ideas talent

Forms

Base
sprout up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sprouts up
he/she/it
Past simple
sprouted up
yesterday
Past participle
sprouted up
have + pp
-ing form
sprouting up
continuous

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Synonyms

spring up grow quickly shoot up emerge pop up multiply

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