confer on

confer (up)on (someone or something)

1. To discuss something with someone. We need to meet this afternoon and confer on the candidates we've interviewed so far. Your mother and I need to confer on this issue before we make a decision.
2. To bestow something, often a title or honor, on someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "confer" and "on," and "upon" can be used in place of "on." The queen will confer an official title upon him at the ceremony tonight.
See also: confer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

confer something (up)on someone

to grant something, such as an academic degree, to someone, usually in a ceremony. (Upon is more formal than on.) The university conferred an honorary degree upon her. They conferred degrees on 300 graduates this year.
See also: confer, on

confer on someone or something (with someone)

 and confer (on someone or something) with someone; confer with someone (about someone or something); confer (with someone) about someone or something
to discuss someone or something. Let us confer on this matter with the headmaster. I want to confer with you on how to handle the problem. I need to confer with you about Walter.
See also: confer, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • confer
  • confer (up)on (someone or something)
  • confer on (someone or something) with (someone)
  • confer with (someone)
  • confer about (someone or something)
  • confer with (one) about (someone or something)
  • confer with
  • confer with (one)
  • confer with (one) on (someone or something)
  • confer on (someone or something) with (one)
References in classic literature
My Dear Sir: Harvard University desired to confer on you at the approaching Commencement an honorary degree; but it is our custom to confer degrees only on gentlemen who are present.
Up From Slavery
He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State.
Oedipus At Colonus