Definition of bring on

The phrase "bring on" originated in Middle English around the 14th century. At the time, the expression was "brynge on," which meant "to produce" or "to cause to appear." The verb "brynge" in Old English had the meaning of "to carry" or "to lead," and its root is believed to be the Old Germanic word "burgmaz," which meant "to transport" or "to load." The Middle English expression "brynge on" evolved from the Old English usage, and it came to be associated with the idea of bringing something forth or presenting it. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean "to present" or "to make happen," particularly in the context of challenging situations or adversaries. In modern English, "bring on" is commonly used in sports to mean "to replace a player" or "to substitute." More generally, it is often used to mean "to produce" or "to cause to occur," particularly in phrases like "bring on the thunderstorm" or "bring on the exhibition." In other contexts, it can also mean "to face," as in "bring on the challenge" or "bring on the enemy." Its use in business contexts can mean "to perform" or "to execute." In essence, the phrase "bring on" has retained its original meaning of "bring" or "produce," but it has evolved to encompass a range of meanings, depending on the context.