turned up missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned up missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something or someone has been found to be absent or lost unexpectedly. Example: "After searching the entire house, the keys finally turned up missing from the kitchen counter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Embezzlements in recent years have involved companies that supply cash to the expanded A.T.M. market, including a New Jersey company, Tri-State Armored Services, where $50 million turned up missing.

The New York Times

Neighbours turned up missing.

The Guardian

When the thermonuclear warhead turned up missing, we were all frantic, of course.

The New Yorker

A drug company is using them after millions of dollars in inventory turned up missing.

The New York Times - Tech

Then, $650,000 in checks turned up missing over three months, the foundation says, and the United States Postal Police were called in to investigate.

The New York Times

This week, she ordered an investigation of the case of as many as 18,000 electronic votes that turned up missing in a tight Congressional race in Florida last November.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

At the Concordia Institute, in Conn., the electric pencil sharpener turns up missing.

The New Yorker

Almost as soon as Doc takes the case, the developer turns up missing.

The New Yorker

At any rate, it is that very same totemic purse that turns up missing after her shopping trip.

The New Yorker

If a bag turns up missing, as the oxymoron goes, proceed immediately to the customer service window near the baggage carousel.

The New York Times - Travel

(Ages 10 and up) The third "young Bond" novel revolves around codes, crosswords and ciphers as a professor turns up missing and James and his Eton friends get caught up in the case.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned up missing" to describe situations where something or someone was initially present or expected, but is now absent and has been searched for. This emphasizes the unexpected nature of the disappearance.

Common error

Avoid using "turned up missing" when simply stating that something is missing without the implication of a prior presence or expectation. Instead, use "is missing" or "has disappeared" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned up missing" functions as a phrasal verb, combining "turn up" (to appear or be found) with "missing" (absent or lost). It suggests that something or someone was expected to be present but was discovered to be absent after a search or investigation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turned up missing" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb, as affirmed by Ludwig, used to describe the unexpected absence of something or someone previously thought to be present. While not exceedingly common, it is frequently found in News & Media contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of surprise and discovery related to something disappearing. Alternatives such as "went missing" or "disappeared without a trace" can be used depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, ensure that it's used to describe something searched and that there's an implied surprise of the absence. Ludwig's analysis and the real-world examples further solidify its role in descriptive and factual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went missing

Focuses on the act of disappearing, without necessarily implying a subsequent search or discovery.

turned out to be lost

Focuses on the discovery of the lost state after a period of time or search.

disappeared without a trace

Emphasizes the complete lack of clues or evidence surrounding the disappearance.

vanished into thin air

Similar to disappeared without a trace, but more figurative and dramatic.

proved to be missing

Similar to 'turned out to be lost', emphasizing the verification of the missing state.

was discovered missing

Emphasizes the act of finding out that something is not present.

was lost

A more general term for being misplaced or absent; lacks the implication of a search.

surfaced as missing

Highlights the unexpected discovery of something being lost or absent.

couldn't be found

Highlights the inability to locate something or someone after a search.

was unaccounted for

Indicates that the whereabouts of something or someone are unknown or not explained.

FAQs

How can I use "turned up missing" in a sentence?

Use "turned up missing" to describe situations where something or someone was expected to be present but was later discovered to be absent, often after a search. For example: "The documents "turned up missing" from the safe."

What's a good alternative to "turned up missing"?

Alternatives include "went missing", "disappeared without a trace", or "was lost". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "turned up" when saying something is missing?

No, "turned up" implies a discovery that something is missing. If you're simply stating that something is not present, "is missing" is sufficient. "Turned up missing" suggests an element of surprise or a realization after a period of time.

What's the difference between "turned up missing" and "was found missing"?

"Turned up missing" implies that the item or person was actively sought and then discovered to be absent. "Was found missing" is similar but can also suggest a more passive discovery, where the absence was noticed without a specific search.