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]

Example Sentences

Before I checked the data, I expected the new AI boom to show up in a renewed investor love of capex, similar to the bubbles of the past.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That doesn’t mean your private chats about your colleague or spouse are going to show up word for word in someone else’s chat session a year or two from now.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“A mob of rioters” is the most accurate term you can apply to who showed up that day — and to what they did.

Read more on Salon

"Not doing well mentally, going through anxiety. I knew I had to show up and God took care of everything," said the batter, after her third ODI century.

Read more on Barron's

Every player showed up to the ballpark, even though attendance was optional after a long night of travel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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