To show up is to arrive and appear, especially when people doubted you would. Turning up at all is the achievement.
It is informal and slightly loaded, since saying somebody did show up implies there was doubt. There is a second sense meaning to make visible, so bright light will show up every mark on a wall. And a third meaning to embarrass, since showing somebody up in public is a real accusation. Turn up does the same job as the first sense and is more common in British English.
1phraseshow upTo arrive, especially when it was uncertain.
“Only half of them will show up in this weather.”
2phraseclearlyTo make something clearly visible.
“Strong light will show up every scratch.”
Also accepted in games: turn up
Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove
First appears in chapter 24 of A Man Called Ove.
Practise this word