Is "Bring it on" commonly used?

Question

I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the February 1, 2004 issue of the New York Times and tried to find its meaning, but no dictionaries I've checked explain what it means. Is this a commonly used phrase in the US? How about in the UK and Australia?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

In our last episode,
(Email Removed),
the lovely and talented kenTak
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the February 1, 2004 issue of the New York Times and tried to find its meaning, but no dictionaries I've checked explain what it means.[/nq]
I find it difficult to know what to explain about this phrase. These are fighting words, and they mean (more or less) "if we are going to fight, start now" or in other words: "Let the fight begin." As such, it is a challenge that is issued many times a day in schoolyards and bars across America. Of course, it is also used in addressing a difficult task, a debate, or a contest that might be likened to a physical fight. The "it" of the expression is "whatever fighting ability you have" or whatever you have for me to contend with.

George Bush used it to challenge Iraqi resistance (to the American invasion), although obviously he did not expect the resistance to have so much of "it" to bring on as they have. John Kerry, Democratic candidate for President, has said it recently, meaning "Let the presidential contest begin."
[nq:1]Is this a commonly used phrase in the US? How about in the UK and Australia?[/nq]
It is common enough in the US that both Bush and Kerry can expect to be understood.

Lars Eighner ~~finger for geek code~~ (Email Removed) http://www.io.com/~eighner/ War on Terrorism: The Difference Between Us and Them "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Ann Coulter

Usenet · Answer

It's beginning to gain acceptance in the UK, though mainly amongst the young folks. We hear it on US programmes like 'West Wing' and '24'
John Dean
Oxford

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[nq:1]In our last episode, the lovely and talented kenTak broadcast on alt.usage.english:[/nq]
[nq:2]I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the ... meaning, but no dictionaries I've checked explain what it means.[/nq]
[nq:1]I find it difficult to know what to explain about this phrase. These are fighting words, and they mean (more ... on as they have. John Kerry, Democratic candidate for President, has said it recently, meaning "Let the presidential contest begin."[/nq]
Maybe my memory is playing tricks, but...
I though President Bush said "bring 'em on," not "bring it on." So Sen. Kerry wasn't really copying Pres. Bush, not word for word. In any case, as you said, "bring it on" is fairly common here (USA).

Maria Conlon

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the ... meaning, but no dictionaries I've checked explain what it means.[/nq]
[nq:1]I find it difficult to know what to explain about this phrase. These are fighting words, and they mean (more ... The "it" of the expression is "whatever fighting ability you have" or whatever you have for me to contend with.[/nq]
Bring it on, Macduff...
john

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the February 1, 2004 issue of the New York Times and ... explain what it means. Is this a commonly used phrase in the US? How about in the UK and Australia?[/nq]
*
The phrase, 'Bring it on' or 'Bring 'em on' came into the news recently when Bush was in one of his cowboy shoot-from-the-hip modes and thought he had a photo-op situation. More of an audio-op, actually.

Since the time that he declared the war was over last May, the opposition has 'brought 'em on' to the tune of over 500 US dead soldiers.
Encouraging the enemy is not the best strategy, in my opinion.

This 100 Billion dollar fiasco was neither in the best interest of our country nor the world in general.
earle
*

Usenet · Answer

}> In our last episode, the lovely and talented kenTak }> broadcast on alt.usage.english:
}>
}>> I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the February 1, 2004 issue }>> of the New York Times and tried to find its meaning, but no }>> dictionaries I've checked explain what it means. }>
}> I find it difficult to know what to explain about this phrase. These }> are fighting words, and they mean (more or less) "if we are going to }> fight, start now" or in other words: "Let the fight begin." As }> such, it is a challenge that is issued many times a day in }> schoolyards and bars across America. Of course, it is also used in }> addressing a difficult task, a debate, or a contest that might be }> likened to a physical fight. The "it" of the expression is "whatever }> fighting ability you have" or whatever you have for me to contend }> with.
}>
}> George Bush used it to challenge Iraqi resistance (to the American }> invasion), although obviously he did not expect the resistance to }> have so much of "it" to bring on as they have. John Kerry, }> Democratic candidate for President, has said it recently, meaning }> "Let the presidential contest begin."
}>
}
}
} Maybe my memory is playing tricks, but...
}
} I though President Bush said "bring 'em on," not "bring it on." So Sen. } Kerry wasn't really copying Pres. Bush, not word for word. In any case, } as you said, "bring it on" is fairly common here (USA).

Last week's episode of Joan of Arcadia (apparently set right here in Maryland, judging by the Maryland driver's license that Jane has earned) contained a mention of the 2000 movie Bring It On (with Kirsten Dunst) about a national cheerleading tournament, wherein the captain of a Los Angeles team tells the captain of a San Diego team to do so.

R. J. Valentine
Nothing about plastic panels, though.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1](snip) }> George Bush used it to challenge Iraqi resistance (to the American }> invasion), although obviously he did not ... "bring 'em on," not "bring it on." So Sen. } Kerry wasn't really copying Pres. Bush, not word for word.[/nq]
Yes, here's the context of Bush's statement:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030702-3.html There are some who feel like that the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is, bring them on. We've got the force necessary to deal with the security situation.
[nq:1]} In any case, as you said, "bring it on" is fairly common here (USA). Last week's episode of ... tournament, wherein the captain of a Los Angeles team tells the captain of a San Diego team to do so.[/nq]
The movie no doubt helped popularize the phrase, but allmusic.com shows well over ("well more than"?) 100 songs called "Bring It On", back to a
1979 song by Shooting Star. Perhaps there's a lineage back to "Bring ItOn Home To Me" (1962, Sam Cooke) and "Bring It On Home" (1963, written by Willie Dixon for Sonny Boy Williamson).

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I came across the phrase "Bring it on" in the February 1, 2004 issue of the New York Times and ... explain what it means. Is this a commonly used phrase in the US? How about in the UK and Australia?[/nq]
It isn't a familiar expression to me (in Australia). If I had to guess what it meant, I'd think of something like "bring on the music", meaning something like "start the show".

Regards
John

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Thank you all for all the valuable input.
You guys are always very helpful.
Ken

Is "Bring it on" commonly used?

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