Skip to Content

English Club : Learn English : Vocabulary
Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : S : show up

show up Informal

Meaning: to arrive at an event or a place where people are gathering

Synonym: turn up, appear

For example:

  • show up I'm sure some of the people who showed up at our gallery opening were only there for the free drinks.

  • show up Kenny and his friends didn't show up at the party until after midnight.

Note: Often used in a negative way, to describe people who arrive somewhere late, arrive uninvited, or who arrive in poor condition, such as drunk or poorly dressed.

Quick Quiz:

Most of the people who showed up at her party
  1. didn't come
  2. were too busy
  3. weren't invited

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

Get the ebook:
1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Discuss: show up

Phrasal Verb of the Day

This entry is in the following categories: