Pronunciation: [spɹˈʌŋ ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The phrase "sprung up" is a combination of a verb and a preposition that form a phrasal verb. The word "sprung" is spelled with a silent "g" which reflects its Old English roots. The IPA transcription of "sprung up" is /sprʌŋ ʌp/. The "sp" is pronounced as an unvoiced consonant cluster while "u" is pronounced as /ʌ/ sound. "ŋ" represents the "ng" sound, and "ʌp" is pronounced with a short "ʌ" sound followed by a "p" sound.
"Sprung up" is a phrasal verb that refers to the sudden or rapid growth, development, or appearance of something. Its dictionary definition can be explained as follows:
When something "sprung up," it means that it has unexpectedly emerged, come into existence, or become evident in a short amount of time. This phrase suggests a sudden or rapid rise or expansion, often describing the spontaneous or unplanned nature of the event or entity. "Sprung up" is often used to describe the evolution or appearance of various phenomena, such as businesses, buildings, plants, ideas, or trends.
For example, one might say that a new shopping mall "sprung up" in the city overnight if it seemingly appeared out of nowhere and was not previously known or anticipated. Similarly, a sudden increase in a particular fashion trend could be described as a style that "sprung up" among celebrities.
The phrase "sprung up" implies that the entity or event described has seemingly appeared or developed quickly and without much warning, creating a sense of surprise or unexpectedness. It signifies a rapid growth or emergence that catches people's attention due to its sudden presence.
The word "sprung up" is a phrase derived from the verb "spring", which has Old English origins. The verb "spring" originally meant "to leap" or "to jump", and it comes from the Proto-Germanic word "springaną". This word, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*sprengh-", meaning "to move quickly" or "to make a sudden motion". Over time, the meaning of "spring" expanded to include the concept of growth or emergence, leading to the phrase "sprung up", which signifies something that has suddenly appeared or developed.
