Phrase guide

turn up for the book

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A very unexpected, usually pleasant, surprise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Originally from racecourse betting, from turn up (“stroke of luck”) and book (“record of betting; bookmaker”).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: gól — unexpected surprise
  • Finnish: jymy-yllätys — unexpected surprise
  • French: bonne surprise — unexpected surprise
  • French: agréable surprise — unexpected surprise
  • Polish: niespodzianka — unexpected surprise