show upverb

• 1

  To appear, arrive, or attend, especially suddenly or erratically.

  • Please come on time; don't just show up whenever you feel like it.
  • No matter how many I throw away, more copies always show up.
• 2

  To be easily visible; to be conspicuous.

  • Stains really show up on this white tablecloth.
• 3

  To make visible; to expose.

  • This bright light shows up the dust in the corners of the room.
  • I bet the Jayhawk fast break could show up the Nimrod's lack of speed.
• 4

  To make visible or expose faults and deficiencies in, usually by outdoing, outperforming, or outcompeting another.

  • I finished in five minutes and she showed me up by finishing in three.
  • It showed her up in her true colors.
• 5

  datedTo produce an impression on observers; to come off.

  • A pleasing countenance showing above a suit of clothes is attractive and makes the suit show up well, while a face with a blank expression is likely to make a man say to himself, "Well if that man's clothes is going to make me look like that I don't want any of them."