to build upon
26
3.4
- phrasal verb
:
basarse en
- The organization plans to build upon last year's success to attract more sponsors.
- build upon a foundation
- build upon prior knowledge
- build upon their work
So this whole challenge was built upon that framework.
- So this whole challenge was built upon that framework.
- He has this sort of fact or nugget that he builds upon to create this bigger narrative.
- Is that what that does is it builds habits that you then build upon.
- I fully realize that no well for position can long endure unless built upon trust, truth and justice.
- This is what everything is built upon.
- But when you go through it, everything else, you're going to build upon this.
- breakthroughs that the Roman Empire was responsible for that we later built upon.
- He created a landscape with resources that you could harvest and build upon.
- I mean, I have two kids of my own and so much of my happiness is built upon them and because of them.
- I'd find things that they were good at, search for those things and build upon it.
- He says no, he Descartes proposed only to reform his own thoughts and to build upon ground that was wholly his.
Examples
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So when it comes to building a coalition, you try to build upon the strengths and the commonalities.
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First, therefore, take as an indestructible foundation the Cross, and build upon it the rest of your faith.
Academic text (1991) -
But I took all those experiences from that movie and built upon it for the next project.
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So this whole challenge was built upon that framework.
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The whole universe is built upon it.
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Students gradually develop new performance skills as they build upon previous learning.
Academic text (2011) -
Activating, developing, and building upon students' background knowledge is essential for learning to take place.
Academic text (1992) -
A hobby, for instance, possessed by the child, provides information to build upon in his/her curriculum.
Academic text (2015) -
Treat America as a nation uniquely built upon Lockean foundations.
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The fine, deep bay was encircled by steep hills, and the city was built upon the slopes.
Fiction book (1990)
Synonyms
179
3.4
Use something you already have as a base for new work
110
3.9
Base an idea or argument on evidence
58
3.7
To depend on something like an idea or reason
Use other people's ideas or work to move forward
To depend on something as the main basis for an idea or argument
Antonyms
How Foundational
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to use something as a basis for further development' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'build' (to create/increase) with 'upon' (on top of; based on). This verb + preposition composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern that a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily interpret.
Etymology
Build upon: The phrasal verb build upon comes from the idea of building a house: you build new bricks upon an old foundation or wall, adding to what is already there. So, it means 'to use something as a base for more work or ideas'.