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turn up — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
turn up
arrive unexpectedlyincrease volume or heatbe found unexpectedly

Meaning 1 · most common

arrive unexpectedly

  • turn up sth sth
  • informal
A scene showing “turn up” meaning “arrive unexpectedly”.

To arrive somewhere, especially when you are not expected or when it was not certain you would come.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

He didn’t turn up to the meeting until it was almost over.

A: Did anyone see Sarah at the party?
B: Yeah, she turned up really late, just as we were leaving.

Common mistake

Not: He turned up in the party very late.

Say: He turned up at the party very late.

'Turn up AT + place/event', not 'in'.

More on “arrive unexpectedly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, my friends turn up at my house without telling me first, which can be a nice surprise.

Tell it apart

He turned up at midnight.

  • arrived unexpectedly

My keys turned up.

  • were found — sense

Goes with

  • turn up + arrival
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Next meaning: increase volume or heat

Meaning 2

increase volume or heat

  • turn up sth
  • informal
A scene showing “turn up” meaning “increase volume or heat”.

To make something, such as the sound, heat, or light, stronger or louder by adjusting a control.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Can you turn up the radio? I can’t hear the song.

A: It’s freezing in here.
B: I’ll turn up the heating.

Common mistake

Not: Turn up it, I love this song.

Say: Turn it up, I love this song.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn it up'.

More on “increase volume or heat”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I study, I usually turn up the volume on my headphones to block out background noise.

Tell it apart

Turn the heating up.

  • increase it

He turned up late.

  • arrived — sense

Goes with

  • turn up + control
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Next meaning: be found unexpectedly

Meaning 3

be found unexpectedly

  • subject sth turn up
  • informal
A scene showing “turn up” meaning “be found unexpectedly”.

To appear or be discovered, especially after being lost or missing, often by chance and unexpectedly.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Don’t worry about your passport—it’ll probably turn up sooner or later.

A: I can’t find my glasses anywhere.
B: They’ll turn up when you least expect it.

Common mistake

Not: My keys turned up themselves.

Say: My keys turned up.

It's intransitive here — don't add 'themselves'.

More on “be found unexpectedly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, important documents that go missing during a move eventually turn up in the most unlikely places.

Tell it apart

The cat turned up next door.

  • was found unexpectedly

The guest turned up next door.

  • arrived — sense

Goes with

  • turn up + discovery
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arrive unexpectedlyincrease volume or heatbe found unexpectedly