build upon
Expand from foundation
Build upon means to use something as a foundation for further development or progress.
When you build upon an idea, achievement, or existing work, you take it as a starting point and add to it: The new research builds upon findings from earlier studies.
The phrase suggests incremental advancement rather than starting from scratch—each contribution builds upon what came before.
- hinge onBe contingent upon
- expandIncrease in size
- developCause gradual growth
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- brick by brickGradually, through incremental effort
iterate · next level · rest on · enhance · layer · stepping-stone · springboard · adapt · extrapolate · foundation · lay the groundwork · solid base · parlay · progression · leverage · grow · bootstrap · synergy
build uponstart from scratch
start fresh · start over · wipe the slate clean · originate · reinvent the wheel
build uponregress
Revert to earlier state
backslide · deteriorate · decline · fall back · lose ground
build, building, upon, built, builder, rebuild, build up, builds, rebuilding