popped up

Meanings

1. 1verbphrasal verbinformal

   Appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, often where nobody expected it.

   Grammar: No object: a problem popped up. The past tense is popped up.

   Patterns

   • something pops up
   • something pops up in/on somewhere

   A new coffee shop popped up on our street last month.

   Her name popped up on my phone screen at midnight.

   Problems kept popping up during the project.

2. 2verbphrasal verbinformal

   Moved upward quickly, or came out of a hidden position, often with a short, sharp motion.

   Grammar: No object: the toast popped up. Often followed by from or out of.

   Patterns

   • pop up from something

   The toast popped up from the toaster just in time.

   A rabbit popped up from behind the hedge.

   He popped up from his seat to answer the question.

3. 3verbphrasal verbinformalBritish

   Made a short, casual visit, usually without much warning.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by to or at: popped up at the office.

   Patterns

   • pop up to somewhere

   My cousin popped up at our door on Sunday morning.

   She popped up to London for the day.

   Old friends popped up at the party.

Word forms

Common combinations

suddenly popped up

A warning suddenly popped up on the screen.

popped up out of nowhere

The car popped up out of nowhere.

popped up on screen

An advert popped up on screen.

popped up in conversation

His name popped up in conversation again.

popped up all over

Cafes have popped up all over town.

Synonyms and how they differ

appeared

Appeared is neutral and can be gradual; popped up stresses surprise and speed.

emerged

Emerged suggests coming out slowly from somewhere hidden, while popped up is quick and casual.

cropped up

Cropped up is used mostly for issues or problems arising, and is slightly less physical.

turned up

Turned up usually means arrived or was found, with less sense of suddenness.

Opposites

Word family

pop-up noun/adjective

A window, shop or book that appears suddenly; also used before a noun.

pop verb

To make a short sharp sound or move quickly.

popper noun

A person or thing that pops, such as a snap fastener in British English.

Commonly confused: popped up or word?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “popped up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words