How to use "turn up"

What Does "turn up" Mean?

The phrasal verb turn up is a versatile English expression with three primary meanings. First, it most commonly means to arrive or appear, especially unexpectedly or after a delay. Second, it refers to something being found or discovered, often by chance. Third, in a literal sense, it means to increase the volume, temperature, or intensity of a device.

This expression is semi-idiomatic; while "turn" and "up" suggest an upward motion or change in state, the meanings related to arrival or discovery cannot be fully deduced from the individual words alone. The register is generally neutral to informal, making it suitable for everyday conversation, journalism, and most professional settings, though more formal synonyms like "arrive" or "emerge" are preferred in academic writing.

How to Use It

The usage of turn up depends on its specific meaning:

Intransitive (To arrive/appear): In this sense, the verb does not take a direct object. You cannot "turn up a party"; you simply "turn up at a party."
Intransitive (To be found): Similarly, when a lost item is found, it "turns up." This is often used with the subject being the lost object (e.g., "My keys finally turned up").
Transitive (To increase): When used to mean increasing volume or heat, it is separable. You can "turn up the radio" or "turn the radio up."

Typical patterns:

Subject + turn up + (adverb/prepositional phrase): "He turned up late."
Subject (lost item) + turn up: "The missing documents turned up in the basement."
Turn up + direct object: "Turn up the heat."

What sounds unnatural: Using "turn up" transitively to mean "to arrive" is a common error. Saying "I will turn up the meeting" is incorrect; you must say "I will turn up at the meeting."

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from turn up on Ludwig.guru.

"Something will turn up." — nytimes.com

"Ministers often turn up." — economist.com

"Turn up that sound." — newyorker.com

"Forgotten treasures turn up." — nytimes.com

"Don't just turn up unannounced." — stanford.edu

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
show up	Very similar to "turn up" regarding arrival; slightly more informal and common in American English.
arrive	The formal, standard alternative for reaching a destination or appearing at an event.
come to light	Used when information or evidence is discovered; more formal than "turn up."
increase	A formal alternative for the transitive use of "turn up" (e.g., increasing volume or intensity).
materialize	Suggests a sudden or almost magical appearance; more dramatic than "turn up."

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'turn up' with 'show off': Learners often confuse these two. Turn up means to arrive, whereas show off means to behave in a way intended to attract attention or flaunt one's abilities.
Transitive misuse for arrival: Learners often use turn up transitively when they mean 'to arrive' (which is intransitive). You cannot "turn up a wedding"; you "turn up to a wedding."
Separability errors: While you can separate the verb and particle when increasing volume ("turn it up"), you cannot separate them when talking about arrival. You cannot say "He turned himself up at the party."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
turn up	To arrive, to be found, or to increase intensity	Intransitive (arrival/discovery) or Transitive/Separable (increase)	Neutral / Informal

FAQs

Can the parts of turn up be separated or must they stay together?

Whether turn up is separable depends entirely on its meaning. When you are increasing the volume or heat, it is separable, allowing you to place the object in the middle (e.g., "turn the music up"). However, when it means to arrive or be found, it is intransitive and cannot be separated at all.

How does turn up differ from show up?

Both expressions are often used interchangeably to mean "to arrive," but show up is slightly more common in American English and can sometimes imply a sense of obligation or surprise. Turn up is frequently used in British English and is also the standard choice when referring to lost items being found.

Is it correct to say I turned up the party?

No, this is a common mistake where learners use turn up transitively when they mean 'to arrive' (which is intransitive). To use it correctly in this context, you must include a preposition, such as "I turned up at the party." Additionally, ensure you do not confuse it with show off, which means to boast.

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