Meaning trap
show up
embarrass by comparison
To make someone feel embarrassed or appear less capable, skilled, or impressive by comparison, often unintentionally.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To make someone feel embarrassed or appear less capable, skilled, or impressive by comparison, often unintentionally.
'show up' also has the more basic meaning 'arrive (especially unexpectedly or after being late)'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Her flawless presentation really showed up the rest of the team.
If one team member consistently shows up others by outperforming them, it can lead to resentment and undermine group cohesion.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She showed up me in front of the boss.
Say: She showed me up in front of the boss.
With a pronoun the object goes in the middle — 'showed me up', not 'showed up me'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Show up' is the natural phrase for outshining/embarrassing someone; the formal version is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
show someone up
- in front of
- showed me up
- completely
- by comparison
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- show up (arrive (especially unexpectedly or after being late)) — 'show up' also has the more basic meaning 'arrive (especially unexpectedly or after being late)'; this is the advanced sense.