bring on
Britishverb
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to induce or cause
these pills will bring on labour
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slang to cause sexual excitement in; stimulate
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Cause to happen, produce, as in His cold brought on an asthma attack . This usage was first recorded in John Milton's Samson Agonistes (1671): “These evils . . . I myself have brought them on.” Also see bring about .
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Cause to appear or bring into action, as in Bring on the jugglers . [Mid-1800s]
Usage
The second sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Only those stubbornly ignorant to the human cost of actual combat would be psyched to bring on more of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Micron told certain customers at the time that the pricing changes would lead to eventual shortages since Micron wouldn’t be able to invest in long-term projects to bring on more supply.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
What they got was a nerve-shredding night, a 90-minute rollercoaster ride, an evening to bring on a migraine.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
“It’s a good time, actually, to start thinking about the future and bring on some other outside investors,” he told CNBC.
From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026
I resolve not to be so tenderhearted as even Minerva says crying will bring on prematuring wrinkles.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
