show up

verb

1. to reveal or be revealed clearly

2. (tr) to expose or reveal the faults or defects of by comparison

3. informal,  (tr) to put to shame; embarrass

   he showed me up in front of my friends

4. informal,  (intr) to appear or arrive

Idioms and Phrases

Be clearly visible, as in The print doesn't show up against this dark background . [Late 1800s]

Put in an appearance, arrive, as in I wonder if he'll show up at all . [Late 1800s]

Expose or reveal the true character of, as in This failure showed up their efforts as a waste of time . [Early 1800s]

Also, show someone up . Surpass someone in ability, outdo someone, as in John's high score on that math test really showed up the rest of the class . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

Related Words

• appear 
• come 
• get 
• get in 
• turn up