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

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

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

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

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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