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build on

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build on(to) something

 and build on

to add to something by constructing an extension. Do you plan to build onto this house? Yes, we are going to build on.

See also: build, on

build something on(to) something

 and build something on

to construct an extension onto a building. We are going to build a garage onto this side of the house. We will build on a new garage. The people next door are not going to build anything on.

See also: build, on

build something (up)on something

 

1. Lit. to construct something on the base of something else. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The ancients built their houses upon the houses of earlier people.

2. Fig. to add to and develop something that already exists. We have a good reputation and we must build on it. He has to build on his strong friendships with the customers.

See also: build, on

build (up)on something

 

1. to construct something on a particular space. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) Are you going to build upon this land? Yes, we will build on it.

2. to start with something and add to it. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) Our progress has been good so far. Let's build on it. We will build upon the success of our forebears.

See also: build, on

build on something

also build upon something

to add another thing to something that already exists In his new book he builds on his own discoveries, and he builds on current theory. The president is building upon the extraordinary commitment to volunteerism Americans have.

See also: build, on

build on

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]

See also: build, on

build on

or build upon

v.

1. To construct something on the base of something else: She wants to build a new house on that hill. The pioneer built a small cabin upon the plain.

2. To use something as a basis or foundation on which to develop something else: The company built its hiring policy on the principle of fairness. The efficiency of our department is built on hard work.

See also: build, on