Dictionary

bring on en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To cause.
   • Does stress bring the headaches on?
   • Excessive drinking can bring on depression.
   • Every Scotland fan would have hoped for - but would not have expected - a relatively stress-free return to the biggest stage, a handy 2-0 or 3-0 that wasn't an assault on the senses. What they got was a nerve-shredding night, a 90-minute rollercoaster ride, an evening to bring on a migraine. 2026 June 14, Tom English, “Why Haiti v Scotland was antidote to the ills of world football”, in BBC Sport:
2. (idiomatic, qualifier:usually "bring it on", transitive) To make something appear, as on a stage or a place of competition.
   • The impatience here is palpable: 2000, here we come! Bring on Gore! Bring em all on! 1998 October, Steve Brodner, “Dubya!”, in Esquire, volume 130, number 4, page 106:
   • Stevenage's first-half performance forced a change of formation from Newcastle at the break, as they brought on Nile Ranger for Leon Best and switched to a 4-2-3-1 set-up. 2011 January 8, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC:
3. (US, as imperative, idiomatic, informal, intransitive, often) To pose a challenge or threat; to attack; to compete aggressively.
   • We have some good defensive players and Breanna Mails is really bringing it on as a pitcher 2007 March 27, “Lady Warriors jump out to a strong beginning”, in Ruidoso News, Ruidos, NM:
   • Christina Aguilera has a strong voice (she really brought it on in "Lady Marmalade," but I'm afraid her hairdo wouldn't make it past the security devices 2001 October 3, “Getting Vocal About Anthems”, in Los Angeles Times:
   • "She really brought it on when she needed it," Rockets Coach Watson Prather said of his pitcher. 2010 May 8, Alan Goldenbach, “Hutchinson, Richard Montgomery top Blair, 1-0”, in Washington Post:
   • Not that Briggs was capable of bringing it on. He got in, maybe, one really good shot: a right to Foreman's ample belly 1997 November 24, “The Judges May Have Done Foreman Favor”, in Richmond Times Dispatch, Virginia:
   • We have a very young team and I think they've really brought it on strong at the end. 2005 October 28, “First-year coaches already making impact”, in Anniston Star, Alabama:
   • It's the performances, and thus far only Big Daddy truly brings it on. 2005 October 27, “A Truly Big Daddy”, in San Jose Mercury News, California:
   • Kevin Frey and Lucas Johnson stared back and gestured to bring it on. 1998 March 13, “Bringing it on: Maine W. vs. New Trier”, in Chicago Tribune:
4. (slang, transitive) To hire or initiate a new employee or participant in a project.
   • I'll bring them on at the end of the month.

Forms

Relateds

go on · bring it on · bring it · on like Donkey Kong · come on · it's on

Translations (19)

pl wywoływać (to cause) · fi haastaa (US: to attack, to compete) · pl przynieść (to make something appear) · fi johtaa (to cause) · pl wywołać (to cause) · ro să vină (to make something appear) · fi tuottaa (to cause) · es procedé pues (US: to attack, to compete) · pl dać (US: to attack, to compete) · es pos ejecutá (US: to attack, to compete) · it fatti sotto (US: to attack, to compete) · pl dawać (US: to attack, to compete) · fi aiheuttaa (to cause) · es cuando querás (US: to attack, to compete) · pl przynosić (to make something appear) · fi tuoda esiin (to make something appear) · es adelante (US: to attack, to compete) · es pues actuá (US: to attack, to compete) · fi tuoda (to cause)