Phrasal verb
show up
Meanings
to arrive at a place or event
to appear or become visible, especially unexpectedly
to make someone look bad by being better than them (informal)
Definition
To show up means to arrive at a place or event, often unexpectedly or after being expected.
"Show up" most commonly means to arrive somewhere, especially when people are waiting or when your presence is expected. It can also mean to appear or become visible, like a problem or a mark. In informal speech, it can mean to make someone look bad by being better than them.
Examples
- I showed up a few minutes late because the bus was delayed.
- Did you show up at the meeting room on the third floor?
- He showed up at my door with takeout and a movie.
- A strange error showed up on my laptop after the update.
- She didn’t mean to show up her teammate during practice.
Common mistake
Learners often forget that the past tense is "showed up" (not "show up" or "showen up").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.