What Does “Conjure sb up” Mean?
“Conjure sb up” means to bring a person to mind or to imagine someone clearly, often suddenly or vividly.
Introduction
The phrase “conjure sb up” is a common English phrasal verb used when someone calls to mind the image or memory of a person. The “sb” stands for somebody, meaning a person. When you conjure somebody up, you mentally picture them or remember them clearly. This phrase is often used in both casual and formal contexts to describe how thoughts or memories of someone appear in your mind quickly or unexpectedly. Understanding the conjure sb up meaning helps learners express how people or ideas come to their thoughts vividly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: conjure somebody up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to bring a person to mind clearly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Conjure sb up” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it needs a direct object (somebody) after it.
- It is inseparable. You cannot put the object between “conjure” and “up.”
- Correct pattern: conjure + somebody + up
- Incorrect: conjure up somebody (less common and often avoided)
How to Use “Conjure sb up”?
Use “conjure sb up” when you want to describe the act of recalling or imagining someone in your mind. It often suggests that the image or memory appears quickly or vividly. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses depending on the context.
For example, you might say, “The smell of the sea conjures my grandmother up,” meaning the smell makes you think of her clearly.
Examples
- The old photograph conjures my best friend up instantly.
- Whenever I hear that song, it conjures my teacher up in my mind.
- Her smile conjured the image of her mother up in my memory.
- That story conjured up a famous actor in my thoughts.
- Reading his letters conjured him up as if he were standing right there.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I conjured up my friend the other day.
Correct: I conjured my friend up the other day. - Incorrect: She conjured up him in her mind.
Correct: She conjured him up in her mind.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “bring sb to mind,” “call sb to mind,” and “think of sb.” However, “conjure sb up” often suggests a more vivid or sudden mental image.
- Bring sb to mind: More neutral, just remembering someone.
- Call sb to mind: Slightly formal; you actively remember someone.
- Think of sb: General phrase for remembering or considering someone.
- Conjure sb up: Implies a vivid, sometimes surprising mental image or memory.
Common Collocations
- Conjure a memory up
- Conjure an image up
- Conjure a picture up
- Conjure a face up
- Conjure a person up
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of conjure sb up:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: That old song really conjures my dad up in my mind.
Ben: Really? How come?
Anna: He used to play it all the time when I was a kid.
Ben: I see. Music can do that—it brings people back to us.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
1. The smell of fresh coffee always _______ my grandmother _______.
2. When I see old photos, it _______ my childhood friends _______.
3. That movie scene _______ the actor _______ very clearly.
FAQs
- Q: Can I use “conjure up sb” instead of “conjure sb up”?
A: It’s less common and often sounds unnatural. “Conjure sb up” is preferred. - Q: Is “conjure sb up” formal or informal?
A: It is used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use “conjure sb up” with objects?
A: No, it is used specifically with people (sb = somebody). - Q: What does “conjure” mean alone?
A: “Conjure” means to make something appear as if by magic or to bring something to mind. - Q: Is “conjure sb up” common in spoken English?
A: Yes, especially in descriptive or storytelling contexts.
