show up

British  

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

---

show up Idioms  

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

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

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

4. 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

The funnier part is when I have to call someone to look at the road because it is eroding or something, and then they show up and start laughing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her only concern is that it will show up as an asset or rental property on her end.

From MarketWatch

“The diversion of global supply chains to Southeast Asia is showing up in the data. We expect this trend to continue into the new year,” as the foreign direct investment pipeline remains strong, Tay added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Signs of strain are beginning to show up in the data.

From The Wall Street Journal

Every time De La Salle or San Mateo Serra has shown up via bus or plane, the result has been the same.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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