show up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Arrive or appear
Neutral in speech. In formal writing use arrive.
Why “up”? A person, thing, signal, idea, or truth becomes present, visible, active, or known.
“Leo showed up at the club queue while Maya was speaking to door staff.”
“Maya showed up at the community class before it began.”
“Maya showed up at the office ten minutes before the morning meeting.”
Common mistake
He likes to show up his new car.
He likes to show off his new car.
Show up = arrive or appear; show off = display something proudly.
Natural collocations
The word partners “show up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Show up means arrive or appear. Show out means show someone the way out.
Test yourself
“Leo showed up at the club queue while Maya was speaking to door staff.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
show out
A contrast learners often mix up
Politely escort someone to the exit
blow up
Same up pattern: appearance
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
bring up
Same up pattern: appearance
Mention or raise a topic
call up
Same up pattern: appearance
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
catch up
Same up pattern: appearance
Reach the same level or position as someone ahead; Get up to date with news, work or events you have missed; (of bad behaviour or neglect) start to have unavoidable consequences; Spend time talking to a friend after a period apart
clear up
Same up pattern: appearance
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
come up
Same up pattern: appearance
Arise as a topic or event; Create an idea or plan, or find an answer
crop up
Same up pattern: appearance
Appear unexpectedly in a situation
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