come up missing

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence.
The phrase "come up missing" is not considered grammatically correct and should not be used in written English. Instead, the correct phrase would be "go missing" or "disappear." Here is an example sentence using the correct phrase: "I can't find my car keys, they seem to have gone missing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They keep a running tally of reporters, media assistants, and camera staff who have come up missing since the beginning of the year.

The Guardian - Opinion

It don't make no sense, because a lot of innocent people will come up missing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Likewise, though it suffered no damage during the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003, a number of artifacts that had been excavated there came up missing when the National Museum of Iraq was plundered in the chaos that followed the invasion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The rods were on the map we did of the pool in May 1980, but they came up missing in September 1980," says a Millstone spokesperson.

Forbes

Are his garments coming up missing here and there?

Huffington Post

See what comes up missing next as "The Finder" continues Thursday nights at 9 p.m. EST on Fox.

Huffington Post

He never got them taken care of and when he came up missing, they made it sound like he was running from the law.

Huffington Post

When some of these coins came up missing, that didn't help, as did records presented by his partner in court proving that some of the coins never existed.

Huffington Post

"My daughter was almost abducted … and I don't want us to think that all of these kids coming up missing are running away, and nobody on this panel addressed that". .

Huffington Post

"The news that those girls were found so close to where they came up missing leads me to believe that there's a possible chance she's till in New Orleans," Enclade said.

Huffington Post

I'm thinking about writing something vague-but-specific like "New York" on the back with a magic marker, just in case police tear my cell up and the photo comes up missing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "go missing" or "disappear" for grammatical correctness and wider acceptance.

Common error

Don't use "come up missing" in formal writing. It's considered incorrect. Stick to established alternatives like "go missing" or "disappear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a phrasal verb describing the act of someone or something becoming lost or unaccounted for. Ludwig AI states that the expression "come up missing" is not considered grammatically correct and should not be used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "come up missing" can be found, it's generally regarded as grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI recommends using the alternative "go missing" or simply "disappear" for greater clarity and adherence to standard English. The analysis shows the expression is rare, and while found in news and media contexts, it lacks the support of formal or academic usage. Opting for the suggested alternatives enhances the credibility and correctness of your writing. Prioritize grammatical correctness and choose "go missing" for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go missing

This is the grammatically preferred and more widely accepted alternative.

disappear

This alternative focuses on the act of becoming absent or lost.

vanish

This suggests a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

become lost

This emphasizes the state of being no longer found.

turn up missing

This phrase includes "turn up" with a more passive voice.

be unaccounted for

This is a more formal way to say someone's whereabouts are unknown.

be absent

This indicates a general lack of presence.

fall through the cracks

This implies being overlooked or neglected, leading to disappearance.

get lost

This is a simpler and more direct way to say someone is no longer found.

become a missing person

This alternative refers to the formal classification of someone who has disappeared.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "come up missing"?

No, the phrase "come up missing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "go missing" or "disappear" instead.

What does "go missing" mean?

The phrase "go missing" means to become lost or unaccounted for; to disappear. It is the preferred alternative to "come up missing".

Which is more appropriate, "come up missing" or "go missing"?

Go missing is the more appropriate and grammatically correct choice. "Come up missing" is considered non-standard.

Are there situations where "come up missing" might be acceptable?

While you might encounter "come up missing" in informal speech, it's best to avoid it in writing. Always prefer "go missing" or "disappear" for clarity and correctness.