show up
HighInformal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To arrive or appear at a place, especially after an absence or delay.
To be clearly visible or to expose something, often to someone's disadvantage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily phrasal verb. As a noun 'show-up' exists but is rare (e.g., 'a police line-up'). The passive voice is possible but less common (e.g., 'He was shown up by his own mistake').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical differences. Slightly more prevalent in American English as a synonym for 'arrive'. The noun 'show-up' is primarily American for a police procedure.
Connotations
Can carry a slightly accusatory tone when meaning 'to expose' (e.g., 'His laziness really showed up during the project'). The 'arrival' sense is neutral to informal.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with the 'arrive' sense being extremely common in spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] + show up + (at/in/for + place/event)[subject] + show up + [object pronoun] (as inferior/inadequate)[subject] + show + [object] + upVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “show up on the radar (to become noticeable)”
- “show someone up (to embarrass someone)”
- “a no-show (someone who didn't appear)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'Only half the team showed up for the early meeting.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing; used in spoken discourse: 'The data shows up a clear correlation.'
Everyday
Very common: 'What time did he finally show up?' or 'The stain shows up in direct sunlight.'
Technical
In photography/imaging: 'Defects show up under ultraviolet light.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He didn't show up at the pub until half past nine.
- The cracks really show up in this light.
American English
- She showed up to the party fashionably late.
- The scan shows up the problem areas.
adjective
British English
- He's a no-show at his own book signing.
- The show-up rate for the event was poor.
American English
- The suspect was placed in a show-up for witness identification.
- It was a real show-up move to arrive in a limousine.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My friend will show up at 5 o'clock.
- The sun showed up after the rain.
- He promised to help but never showed up.
- The writing on the old letter shows up under a special light.
- Only a handful of delegates showed up for the early session.
- Her lack of preparation showed up during the difficult questions.
- The structural flaws show up most acutely under stress testing.
- He was shown up by his younger, more agile colleague during the debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shy person who has to 'show' themselves by coming 'up' to the front. To appear/show yourself up front = show up.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISIBILITY IS PRESENCE (making something visible is like causing it to be present).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'показать вверх'.
- Do not confuse with 'show off' (хвастаться). 'Show up' is about arrival/exposure; 'show off' is about boasting.
- In the 'expose' sense, it is closer to 'выявить' or 'обнаружить', not just 'показать'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He showed up me at the game.' Correct: 'He showed me up at the game.' (object pronoun placement)
- Incorrect: 'I will show up you.' Correct: 'I will show you up.' or 'I will show up.'
- Overusing in formal writing where 'arrive', 'appear', or 'become evident' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'show up' mean 'to expose a weakness or fault'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally informal to neutral. In very formal writing, prefer 'arrive', 'appear', or 'become evident'.
They are largely synonymous for 'arrive'. 'Turn up' can imply a more unexpected or casual arrival, while 'show up' can imply an expected or obligated appearance.
Yes, in the sense of exposing or embarrassing someone (e.g., 'He showed me up with his perfect answer'). For the 'arrive' sense, it is intransitive.
It's a noun for a person who was expected but did not arrive (e.g., 'We had three no-shows for the dinner reservation').