What does “Show up” mean?
The phrase "show up" means 'to go to' or 'to do better than someone.' When someone uses "show up", they are referring to attending a particular event or activity and potentially outperforming others. It implies the act of surpassing expectations or outshining others in a given situation.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
He thinks he's the best, but I'll show up and prove him wrong.
Example
I'm going to show up at the gym and outperform everyone.
Example
She always brags about her cooking skills, but I'll show up with my delicious dish.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Attending an event or place
I'll show up at the party tonight and surprise everyone.
Make sure to show up at the meeting on time.
- 2Outperforming someone
He thinks he's the best, but I'll show up and prove him wrong.
I'm going to show up at the gym and outperform everyone.
- 3Challenging someone's claims or skills
She always brags about her cooking skills, but I'll show up with my delicious dish.
He claims to be the fastest runner, but I'll show up and beat him in the race.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "show up" is a common expression in English that has been adopted as slang. Its origin can be traced back to the general usage of the words 'show' and 'up' in the context of attending an event or outperforming someone.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
While "show up" is often used in a sentence, it can also be used on its own to convey the idea of attending or performing better than someone. For example, if someone challenges you to a competition, you might respond with "I'll show up" to indicate that you will participate and do better than them.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "show up" is not offensive. It is a slang term used to describe going to a place or performing better than someone.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "show up" is commonly used by English speakers, particularly in the United States. It is understood by a wide range of age groups and can be used in both casual and formal settings.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "show up" is not specific to any particular accent or region. It is used across English-speaking regions and is not limited to a specific area or dialect.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
- fall behind
- underperform
- lag behind
- fail to meet expectations
- be outperformed
