Plain English Expression: Show up
Mar 19, 2026
A lively breakdown of the phrasal verb "show up" and its two main uses. Short examples show how it means things appearing and people arriving. A memorable quote about showing up as a key to effort and relationships. Encouraging notes about practicing and where to find more lessons.
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Show Up Means Appear For Things
- "Show up" is a common phrasal verb that often means "appear" when referring to things.
- Jeff uses cookie banners as an example: they started showing up on websites all over the internet, appearing unexpectedly.
Use Active Learning Tools On PlainEnglish
- Use active learning tools to accelerate English progress beyond passive listening.
- Jeff recommends quizzes, activities, fast audio, workshops, practice, and live calls on plainenglish.com for faster skill building.
Everyday Examples Of Things Showing Up
- Jeff shares specific everyday examples where things "show up": error messages, brown spots on houseplants, and gray hairs at the temples.
- These examples illustrate unexpected appearances and everyday contexts for the phrasal verb.