from the ground up

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #474 [color=blue]“English Slang Idioms (216)”, question 3

There are many interesting stories of people who built successful internet-based companies from the up that came to light around the year 2000.

(a) sand
(b) ground
(c) trees
(d) brain

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #474 [color=blue]“English Slang Idioms (216)”, answer 3

There are many interesting stories of people who built successful internet-based companies from the ground up that came to light around the year 2000.

Correct answer: (b) ground
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

brain up is right

‘Brain up’ is incorrect.
The correct answer is provided in the line quoted above your response.