Meaning trap
turn up
arrive unexpectedly
To arrive somewhere, especially when you are not expected or when it was not certain you would come.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To arrive somewhere, especially when you are not expected or when it was not certain you would come.
Another meaning of 'turn up' is 'increase volume or heat'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- He didn’t turn up to the meeting until it was almost over.daily life
- Sometimes, my friends turn up at my house without telling me first, which can be a nice surprise.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: turn up (at/in/on, etc.) [place/event]
WrongHe turned up in the party very late.
RightHe turned up at the party very late.
'Turn up AT + place/event', not 'in'.
Patternturn up (at/in/on, etc.) [place/event]
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Turn up' is the casual verb for showing up, often unexpectedly; 'arrived without prior notice' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
turn up + arrivallateout of the blueunannouncedon time
Don't confuse it
'Turn up' can sound more informal and surprising than 'arrive'.
Related
- turn up (increase volume or heat) — Another meaning of 'turn up' is 'increase volume or heat'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.