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

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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]

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Example Sentences

“For extroverts, that shows up as visible energy and vocal enthusiasm,” Chief People Officer Amanda Poole recalls colleagues who represent the company’s “Valuably Quiet” program telling supervisors at one workshop.

From The Wall Street Journal

A statement by Respawn, posted on the "Battlefield" X account, praised Zampella "for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it."

From Barron's

Attractive women started showing up in summer 2024 at a fertility clinic in southern Moscow in response to an unusual marketing campaign: free sperm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even when he was nauseous, sweating and fatigued, Marty showed up.

From Los Angeles Times

On the afternoon the Reiners were found, a massage therapist showed up at the home for a weekly session with the couple.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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