What Does "Show Up" Mean?

Meaning

The phrase "show up" has several meanings:

• To arrive somewhere, especially late or unexpectedly.
• To expose or discredit someone by revealing their faults.
• To appear or be revealed clearly.
• To embarrass someone by behaving badly.

Examples

Here are some examples of how "show up" is used:

• "I invited him for eight o'clock, but he didn't show up."
• "The report showed him up for the irrelevant and incompetent person he is."
• "The truth will show up sooner or later."
• "He showed me up by snoring during the concert."

Origin

The phrase "show up" is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. It is thought to have derived from the verb "show," which means "to make visible" or "to reveal." The addition of "up" emphasizes the idea of appearing or becoming visible.

Usage

The phrase "show up" is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It can be used as a verb, a noun, or an adjective.

As a verb, "show up" means to arrive, to appear, or to expose. For example, you might say "I showed up late for the meeting" or "The evidence showed up the defendant's guilt."

As a noun, "show up" refers to the act of arriving, appearing, or exposing. For example, you might say "My show up at the party was a surprise to everyone" or "The show up of new evidence led to the case being reopened."

As an adjective, "show up" means noticeable or prominent. For example, you might say "The show up was a large and impressive building" or "The show up was a key feature of the landscape."

Synonyms

Some common synonyms for "show up" include:

• Arrive
• Appear
• Reveal
• Expose
• Discredit
• Embarrass