This everyday expression describes someone arriving at a place or event.
The idea
Show up means arrive or appear, often when someone is expected. It is informal and takes no direct object; use at or for before a place or event. The past is showed up.
Examples
- The guests showed up before lunch.
- Our coach showed up late for practice.
- Will your neighbours show up at the concert?
- Only three people showed up for the workshop.
- I hope the plumber shows up tomorrow.
- They did not show up at the station.
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Watch out
Do not put a person between show and up: the person is the subject, not an object.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. Yesterday the musicians ___ up early. (showed / show)
Show answer or example answer
showed
showed: yesterday places the arrival in the past.
Choose the correct option. Will the volunteers show ___? (up / off)
Show answer or example answer
up
up: this particle completes the expression for arriving.
Choose the correct option. Nobody showed up ___ the station. (at / into)
Show answer or example answer
at
at: the station is the place of arrival.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. Yesterday the musicians ___ up early. (showed / show)
Choose the correct option. Will the volunteers show ___? (up / off)
Choose the correct option. Nobody showed up ___ the station. (at / into)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an event and say who arrived late.