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

“When you’ve got an established franchise and you’re building on something that’s had an audience in the past, it’s a lot easier to build your campaign on top of that, rather than starting from scratch.”

From Los Angeles Times

He agrees it builds on storytelling elements that have worked well before.

From BBC

Pustilnikov bought the Original Pantry’s nearly 8,000-square-foot building on James M. Wood Boulevard with the blessing of hospitality union Unite Here Local 11.

From Los Angeles Times

It will be the most expansive survey of his career to date, building on the momentum of “Jaws” while widening the lens to include his five decades of filmmaking.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she was facing the door of the studio, in Southport's Hart Spaces building on Hart Street, when he walked into the room.

From BBC

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