turn up

Both

Sense-dependent: some meanings take an object and split, others take none. Check the sense you mean.

How to say it

Stress the particle, not the verb: turn UP. Saying “TURN up” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.

Link across the gap. The final /n/ of “turn” moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “turn up” is said “tur-nup”. Pausing between the words is what makes phrasal verbs sound recited rather than spoken.

3 meanings

  1. 1

    To arrive, often unexpectedly or late.

    • He turned up an hour after everyone else.
    • Nobody turned up to the first session.

    Similar: show up, appear

  2. 2

    To increase the volume, heat or intensity.

    • Turn the heat up — it's still cold in here.

    Similar: raise, increase

  3. 3

    (Of a lost object) to be found.

    • My keys turned up in the fridge.

    Similar: surface

The particle logic

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More TURN phrasal verbs

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turn up — meaning, examples & how to say it