English

Verb

bring on ‎(third-person singular simple present bring on, present participle bringing on, simple past and past participle brought on)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To cause.

   Excessive drinking can bring on depression

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To make something appear, as on a stage or a place of competition.
   • 2016 October 14, Steve Brodner, “Dubya!”, in Esquire, volume 130, number 4, page 106:

     The impatience here is palpable: 2000, here we come! Bring on Gore! Bring em all on!

   • 2011 January 8, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC:

     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.

3. (idiomatic, intransitive, US, informal, often as imperative) To pose a challenge or threat; to attack; to compete aggressively.
   • 1997 November 24, “The Judges May Have Done Foreman Favor”, in Richmond Times Dispatch, Virginia:

     Not that Briggs was capable of bringing it on. He got in, maybe, one really good shot: a right to Foreman's ample belly

   • 1998 March 13, “Bringing it on: Maine W. vs. New Trier”, in Chicago Tribune:

     Kevin Frey and Lucas Johnson stared back and gestured to bring it on.

   • 2001 October 3, “Getting Vocal About Anthems”, in Los Angeles Times:

     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

   • 2005 October 27, “A Truly Big Daddy”, in San Jose Mercury News, California:

     It's the performances, and thus far only Big Daddy truly brings it on.

   • 2005 October 28, “First-year coaches already making impact”, in Anniston Star, Alabama:

     We have a very young team and I think they've really brought it on strong at the end.

   • 2007 March 27, “Lady Warriors jump out to a strong beginning”, in Ruidoso News, Ruidos, NM:

     We have some good defensive players and Breanna Mails is really bringing it on as a pitcher

   • 2010, Alan Goldenbach, “Hutchinson, Richard Montgomery top Blair, 1-0”, in Washington Post:

     "She really brought it on when she needed it," Rockets Coach Watson Prather said of his pitcher.

Derived terms

• it's on