pop up

Meaning

In a digital context, this phrasal verb means to appear suddenly or unexpectedly on a computer or phone screen. It is commonly used to describe ads, notifications, error messages, or new windows that open without the user directly clicking them. It can be used as a verb or as a noun (written as 'pop-up').

Examples

• Every time I open this browser, a bunch of spammy ads pop up.

  Every time I open this browser, a bunch of spammy ads pop up.

• A notification just popped up saying my meeting starts in five minutes.

  A notification just popped up saying my meeting starts in five minutes.

• I was trying to buy the tickets, but this weird error message kept popping up.

  I was trying to buy the tickets, but this weird error message kept popping up.

• You can block those intrusive windows if you install a good pop-up blocker.

  You can block those intrusive windows if you install a good pop-up blocker.

• Did a prompt pop up asking you to update your software?

  Did a prompt pop up asking you to update your software?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ An error message popped out on my screen.

  ✓ An error message popped up on my screen.

  While 'pop out' can mean to step outside briefly, digital elements that suddenly appear on a screen always 'pop up'.

• ✗ I need to block these popups ads.

  ✓ I need to block these pop-up ads.

  Use 'pop-up' as an adjective before a noun, or 'pop-ups' as a plural noun. Avoid combining them as 'popups ads'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hate when random chat windows ___ while I'm trying to read an article.

  💡 To appear suddenly on the screen.

  Show answer

  pop up

• A security warning might ___ if you download files from untrusted websites.

  💡 Verb meaning to show up unexpectedly.

  Show answer

  pop up