Meaning trap
show up
arrive (especially unexpectedly or after being late)
To arrive at a place, especially when you are expected or when you are late.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To arrive at a place, especially when you are expected or when you are late.
Another meaning of 'show up' is 'become visible or easy to notice'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- He didn't show up to the meeting until it was almost over.daily life
- In my opinion, it's important to show up on time for job interviews because it creates a good first impression.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: show up (at/in/on [place/time])
WrongNobody showed up on the meeting.
RightNobody showed up to/at the meeting.
Show up TO or AT an event, not 'on'.
Patternshow up (at/in/on [place/time])
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Show up' is the casual spoken 'arrive'; the formal version is flat.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
show uplatedidn't show upshow up tounannounced
Don't confuse it
'Show up' focuses on the act of arriving, not on making something visible.
Related
- show up (become visible or easy to notice) — Another meaning of 'show up' is 'become visible or easy to notice'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.