show up

verb

showed up; shown up or showed up; showing up; shows up

transitive verb

1
: to expose or discredit especially by revealing faults
showed them up as frauds
… it showed him up for the irrelevant and offensive person he really is …Owen Bennett
2
: to embarrass or cause to look bad especially by comparison
trying to show up the boss
The offensive line has been sub par with the defensive line showing them up for at least a few days.James Anderson
3
: reveal
showed up my ignorance

intransitive verb

1
a
: arrive, appear
showed up late for his own wedding
Hundreds of tourists showed up, wearing bright sweaters, even though it was warm.Tony Earley
b
: to become involved with others and make an active contribution
But what we have to remind ourselves, and each other, is that our democracy only works for us if we show up.America Ferrera
also : to provide help and support for someone
If you're in a position to defend and protect someone who is a victim of abuse, then do it … Show up for them. Sa'iyda Shabazz
2
: to be plainly evident
… [Woody Hayes] cared so much about people. That showed up in the way he did things in the community, the way he lent his name to charity events.Kyle Rowland

Examples of show up in a Sentence

normally, one doesn't see them, but the actress's wrinkles show up in the close-ups the band showed up an hour late
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
How Poinsettias Became a Christmas Flower When conquistador Hernan Cortes showed up in the early 16th Century, the story of these red flowers gets more complex. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024 His team found that over time, brown anoles with longer legs had higher survival rates after the crested anoles showed up. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024 DeVito, who repeatedly took big hits against the Bucs, showed up on the injury report Tuesday with a right forearm issue and was ultimately deemed unable to play Thursday, serving as only the emergency quarterback. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024 Raven Wilburn, 43, and Joy Williams, 41, showed up to Castleton Square Mall at 6:30 a.m. ready to shop sales for themselves and those on their holiday shopping list. Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for show up 

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of show up was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near show up

Cite this Entry

“Show up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show%20up. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

show up

verb
1
: to reveal the true nature of by uncovering faults : expose
were shown up for the fools they really are
2
: to be where one is expected to be : arrive
showed up on time

Legal Definition

showup

noun
show·​up
ˈshō-ˌəp
: a presentation of a criminal defendant or arrestee individually to a witness for identification compare lineup

Note: A showup identification may withstand a due process challenge when there is an emergency situation, when the presentation is accidental, or when otherwise the totality of the circumstances render it justifiable.

More from Merriam-Webster on show up

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