brought it on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought it on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has caused a situation or consequence, often implying that they are responsible for something negative that has happened. Example: "He didn't take the necessary precautions, and now he's suffering the consequences; he really brought it on himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I even spoke to one police officer who said I brought it on myself because of the way I dress.

Independent

Father "Well you brought it on yourself.

The Guardian

"At the same time, I brought it on myself".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's my own fault… I brought it on myself".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Could he tell her he brought it on purpose?

The Guardian - Books

Gotcha!" Do you think every persecuted group in history brought it on themselves then?

Independent

It was a very unfortunate thing, but I brought it on myself".

The New York Times - Sports

"I brought it on myself" and "It's my fault," he says rendingly.

The New York Times

At the time of his censure, he acknowledged that he had made mistakes, saying "I brought it on myself".

The New York Times

3. Blaming Provocative Clothing There's a tendency to assume the victims of sexual violence somehow brought it on themselves.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its gentle sense of brought-it-on-ourselves defeat is inherently civilizing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought it on", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the situation and that the consequence is directly linked to that cause.

Common error

Avoid using "brought it on" if the connection between the action and the outcome is weak or unclear. Make sure the cause-and-effect relationship is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought it on" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a causative verb phrase. It implies that someone or something has caused a particular situation, often negative, to occur. Ludwig examples showcase its use in assigning responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought it on" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone has caused a particular situation, often implying responsibility for negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While it can be replaced with alternatives like "caused it" or "precipitated it" for clarity or formality, understanding the specific nuances of "brought it on" is essential for effective communication. Being mindful of the potential for misattribution is crucial when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused it

This alternative offers a direct and simple way to convey that someone was the reason for an event or situation.

brought upon themselves

This alternative emphasizes that the consequences were self-inflicted.

precipitated it

This alternative emphasizes the action that initiated or accelerated the situation.

instigated it

This alternative suggests that someone actively started or provoked the situation.

were responsible for it

A more formal alternative, it emphasizes accountability for the situation.

sparked it

This alternative emphasizes the initial action that led to a series of events or a situation.

triggered it

This alternative is used to describe a specific action that initiated a particular reaction or sequence of events.

contributed to it

This alternative implies a partial but significant role in causing the situation.

invited it

This alternative suggests that someone acted in a way that made the situation likely or inevitable.

asked for it

This alternative often implies that someone's actions made them deserving of what happened.

FAQs

How can I use "brought it on" in a sentence?

You can use "brought it on" to indicate that someone's actions led to a particular outcome. For instance, "He didn't study for the test, so he "brought it on" himself when he failed".

What is a more formal way to say "brought it on"?

Alternatives like "were responsible for it", "caused it" or "contributed to it" may be more appropriate in formal contexts, depending on the degree of responsibility you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone "brought it on"?

While often used in negative contexts to imply responsibility for an undesirable outcome, the phrase ""brought it on"" isn't inherently negative. The tone depends on the situation and the outcome being discussed.

Which is correct, "brought it on" or "brought it upon"?

Both ""brought it on"" and "brought it upon themselves" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Brought it on" is more general, while "brought it upon themselves" emphasizes that the consequences were self-inflicted.