turn up — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings

1 arrive unexpectedlyTo arrive somewhere, especially when you are not expected or when it was not certain you would come.
2 increase volume or heatTo make something, such as the sound, heat, or light, stronger or louder by adjusting a control.
3 be found unexpectedlyTo appear or be discovered, especially after being lost or missing, often by chance and unexpectedly.

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arrive unexpectedly

B1turn up sth sthspokeninformalMost common

To arrive somewhere, especially when you are not expected or when it was not certain you would come.

He didn’t turn up to the meeting until it was almost over.

A: Did anyone see Sarah at the party?
B: Yeah, she turned up really late, just as we were leaving.

Sometimes, my friends turn up at my house without telling me first, which can be a nice surprise.

Common mistake

✗He turned up in the party very late.

✓He turned up at the party very late.

'Turn up AT + place/event', not 'in'.

Tell it apart

He turned up at midnight.

arrived unexpectedly

My keys turned up.

were found — sense

Use 'turn up' when someone arrives, especially if it was not planned or they were late.'Turn up' can sound more informal and surprising than 'arrive'.

Often paired with

turn up + arrival

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increase volume or heat

B1turn up sthspokeninformal

To make something, such as the sound, heat, or light, stronger or louder by adjusting a control.

Can you turn up the radio? I can’t hear the song.

A: It’s freezing in here.
B: I’ll turn up the heating.

When I study, I usually turn up the volume on my headphones to block out background noise.

Common mistake

✗Turn up it, I love this song.

✓Turn it up, I love this song.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn it up'.

Tell it apart

Turn the heating up.

increase it

He turned up late.

arrived — sense

Use 'turn up' for things you can adjust, like music, TV, or heating.'Turn up' is the opposite of 'turn down', which means to make something quieter or less strong.

Often paired with

turn up + control

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be found unexpectedly

C1subject sth turn upspokeninformal

To appear or be discovered, especially after being lost or missing, often by chance and unexpectedly.

Don’t worry about your passport—it’ll probably turn up sooner or later.

A: I can’t find my glasses anywhere.
B: They’ll turn up when you least expect it.

Sometimes, important documents that go missing during a move eventually turn up in the most unlikely places.

Common mistake

✗My keys turned up themselves.

✓My keys turned up.

It's intransitive here — don't add 'themselves'.

Tell it apart

The cat turned up next door.

was found unexpectedly

The guest turned up next door.

arrived — sense

'Turn up' in this sense is used when something or someone that was lost or missing is found unexpectedly. It is neutral and common in both spoken and written English.Unlike the B1 sense 'arrive unexpectedly' (which refers to a person going somewhere), this sense is about something or someone being discovered after being lost, not about arriving at a place.

Often paired with

turn up + discovery

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arrive unexpectedly increase volume or heat be found unexpectedly