Cool MateShow them up vs Surpass
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Show them up
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Surpass
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most formal: SurpassMost common: Surpass
| Show them up | Surpass | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ʃoʊ ðɛm ʌp//🇺🇸 //ʃoʊ ðɛm ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //səˈpɑːs//🇺🇸 //sərˈpæs// |
| Meaning | To embarrass someone by doing better than them. | To do better than someone or something. |
| Example | She really knew her stuff and showed them up during the presentation. | She hopes to surpass her previous record in the marathon. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | show someone up, really show them up, try to show someone up | surpass expectations, surpass limits, surpass achievements |
| Antonyms | - | fail, fall behind, lag |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'show up' meaning to arrive., Used in contexts where competition isn't clear., Incorrectly conjugating the verb. | Confuse with 'exceed'; 'surpass' emphasizes doing better, while 'exceed' means to go beyond limits., Incorrectly use intransitively; 'surpass' should always take an object., Use with wrong tense; ensure subject and verb are properly agreed. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual contexts to describe outperforming others, often in competition or comparison. Less appropriate in formal situations. | Use 'surpass' when comparing achievements or qualities. It's more formal than 'beat'. Avoid in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Show them up vs Surpass
What's the difference between Show them up and Surpass?
Show them up: To embarrass someone by doing better than them. Surpass: To do better than someone or something.
Which is more formal: Show them up and Surpass?
Surpass is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Show them up and Surpass?
Surpass is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Show them up: She really knew her stuff and showed them up during the presentation. Surpass: She hopes to surpass her previous record in the marathon.
Can I use Show them up and Surpass interchangeably?
Not always. Show them up and Surpass are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.