turn up somewhere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn up somewhere" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone arrives or appears at a place unexpectedly or unannounced. For example: Jack was surprised when his old friend from college unexpectedly turned up at his birthday party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They turn up somewhere, the honey trap disappears, a camera crew jumps out, followed by the police.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Details of the cast have still to be announced, but it would be astonishing if Swansea-born Catherine Zeta Jones doesn't turn up somewhere.

The Guardian

Parents will also be able to track their child's recent movements, and set up an alert system so that they will know if he does not turn up somewhere he is expected.

The Economist

As one might postulate from the Web browser wars between Netscape and Microsoft, however, if there is money to be made in an area of computing, Microsoft is bound to turn up somewhere.

The New York Times - Tech

As I've mentioned, it's mornings when I most miss the routine of salaried work, when I sometimes yearn for someone to be waiting for me to turn up somewhere.

The Guardian - Money

With minimal planning or preparation, Floyd and Pritchard would simply turn up somewhere – a trawler boat, a country hotel – and film Floyd cooking, unscripted and with a glass of red wine at the ready, using whatever facilities were available.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Nearly every line from "All About Eve" turns up somewhere as wisecrack.

The New York Times - Books

We figured there was no point turning up somewhere and not wanting to make a purchase.

The Guardian - Travel

Surely Scamander won't lose all his monsters every time he turns up somewhere new?

The Guardian - Film

An aid worker gently told her how to register Mustafa's name in case he turns up somewhere.

The New York Times

With "Wonder Woman," I figured Adrianne just needed a moment before she turned up somewhere respectable again.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn up somewhere" when you want to convey an unplanned or unexpected arrival at a specific location. It's suitable for both people and objects.

Common error

Avoid using "turn up somewhere" when you mean to increase the volume or intensity of something. "Turn up" alone in that context implies an increase, not a location. Example: "Turn up the music", not "Turn up somewhere the music".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turn up somewhere" is that of a phrasal verb indicating the act of arriving or appearing at a location, often unexpectedly. Ludwig examples support this meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turn up somewhere" is a common phrasal verb used to describe an unexpected or unplanned arrival at a location. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "turn up somewhere" conveys the idea of an unanticipated appearance. Related phrases include "arrive unexpectedly" and "show up unexpectedly". Be careful not to confuse it with "turn something up", which refers to increasing volume or intensity. The neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show up unexpectedly

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the surprise element.

arrive unexpectedly

Focuses on the unplanned nature of the arrival.

pop up somewhere

Conveys a quick and sudden arrival.

land up somewhere

Suggests ending up in a place, possibly unintentionally.

materialize somewhere

Implies a sudden or mysterious appearance.

end up at some location

Similar to 'land up somewhere', but more explicit about the destination.

appear on the scene

Suggests a more formal or dramatic arrival.

surface somewhere

Suggests something previously hidden becoming visible.

make an appearance

Highlights the act of showing up, often briefly.

reach a destination

A more generic way of saying arrival at a place.

FAQs

How to use "turn up somewhere" in a sentence?

You can use "turn up somewhere" to describe an unexpected arrival or appearance. For example, "I didn't expect him to "turn up somewhere" like this."

What can I say instead of "turn up somewhere"?

Alternatives include "arrive unexpectedly", "show up unexpectedly", or "materialize somewhere", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "turn up at somewhere" instead of "turn up somewhere"?

No, "turn up somewhere" is the correct usage. "Turn up at" requires a specific location or event, not the general term "somewhere".

What's the difference between "turn up" and "turn up somewhere"?

"Turn up" can mean to increase something (like volume) or to appear. "Turn up somewhere" specifically means to appear or arrive at a location, often unexpectedly.