show up as

show (someone or something) up as (something)

To reveal someone's or something's true nature, character, or properties. The books shows up the CEO as a megalomaniac only concerned with increasing his own wealth and power. The senator showed the legislation up as an attempt to enrich the nation's wealthiest citizens.

See also: show, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

show someone up as something

to reveal that someone is really something (else). The investigation showed her up as a fraud. The test showed up the candidate as unqualified.

See also: show, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.