Real English Phrasal Verbs: Dress Up and Show Up | On Your Mark's English

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A vocabulary poster for phrasal verbs. 1. Dress up: To wear formal clothes. 2. Show up: To arrive.

The Story: The Job Interview

Interviews are stressful!

You have to prepare your answers, check your resume, and choose the right clothes.

In English, we use specific phrasal verbs to talk about these actions.

1. Dress Up 👔

Meaning: To wear clothes that are nicer, more formal, or fancier than what you usually wear. (Note: We also use "dress up" for wearing costumes, like on Halloween).

Examples:

• "It's a fancy restaurant, so we should dress up." (Wear a suit/dress).

• "You don't need to dress up. It's just a casual party." (Jeans are okay).

  
  

2. Show Up 👋

Meaning: To arrive at a place where people are expecting you.

Examples:

• "She promised to come, but she never showed up." (She didn't arrive).

• "What time did he show up to the party?"

  
  

The Difference: Arrive vs. Show Up

"Arrive" is neutral.

"Show up" is more casual and focuses on the moment you appear.

Your Turn

What is the last event you had to dress up for? A wedding? A birthday?

Write your answer in the comments down below.

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