brew up

To make tea, coffee, or beer by leaving or cooking its ingredients in water.

• I will brew up some tea.
• They brewed up a small batch of beer last month.
• Have you brewed up enough coffee for everyone?

How to use it: brew something up (She brewed some strong coffee up for the visitors.)

Similar words: brew, make

Common phrases: brew up tea, brew something up, brew up some coffee

To create an idea, plan, story, or mixture, often by combining different things.

• They brewed up a clever plan.
• She brewed up a strange mixture in the kitchen.
• What excuse will he brew up this time?

How to use it: brew up something (The children brewed up a plan to surprise their teacher.)

Similar words: concoct, devise, invent

Common phrases: brew up a plan, brew something up, brew up trouble

To light a fire so you can make tea, usually outdoors.

• We stopped beside the stream to brew up.
• The soldiers gathered dry wood and brewed up.
• Shall we brew up before continuing the walk?

Common phrases: brew up outdoors, brew up at camp

If a vehicle does this, it suddenly burns fiercely.

• The tank brewed up.
• Two vehicles brewed up after the attack.
• The crew escaped before their tank brewed up.

Similar words: catch fire, burst into flames

Common phrases: brew up suddenly, brew up immediately

To make a vehicle suddenly burn fiercely.

• The missile brewed up the tank.
• One direct hit brewed the vehicle up.
• The gunners brewed up two enemy tanks.

How to use it: brew something up (The shell brewed the tank up.)

Similar words: set alight, set on fire

Opposites: extinguish

Common phrases: brew up tanks, brew up vehicles