trump up

US /trʌmp ʌp/

UK /trʌmp ʌp/

1.

to invent a false accusation or excuse

:

•

They tried to trump up charges against him.

•

He trumped up an excuse for being late.

:

fabricate concoct invent devise make up

:

come up trumps on the up and up up up to come up with follow up keep up with