build on

1. Also, build upon. Add as an extension; use as a basis or foundation. For example, They decided to build on an addition, or She was building all her hopes on passing the exam. John Locke had this idiom in his treatise on government (1689): “Sovereignty built on ‘property’ . . . comes to nothing.” [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

That builds on an existing partnership with the lab, but Ramaco said it would also work with other Energy Department laboratories on rare earths.

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Meanwhile, the insurgents are building on their tightening grip on the rest of the country and taxing gold and narcotics transiting through Africa from Latin America to Europe.

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"We are building on our incredible legacy with a clear vision for the next 40 years," he added.

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"This is encouraging and we are continuing to build on these gains," Filosa said.

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Rather than tarnish that legacy, let’s build on it.

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