appear

appear as

1. To have certain characteristics, often ones that are similar to something else. Cancerous cysts can sometimes appear as normal ones at first, so we have to do further testing.
2. To act, as in a play or movie. My agent has been getting a lot of calls about me ever since I appeared as Elphaba in "Wicked."
See also: appear

appear at

To arrive at or be in a particular location at a certain time. My sister's favorite singer is appearing at the mall today. I'm stuck in traffic, so I won't appear at the party for a while.
See also: appear

appear before

1. To participate in legal proceedings. I'm so nervous to appear before the judge today.
2. To suddenly become visible to one. I had to slam on my brakes when that pedestrian just appeared before me.
3. To arrive early for something. I am locking that door at exactly 10:01, so I suggest you appear before the exam starts.
See also: appear, before

appear for

To stand in or act as a proxy for another person. I am appearing for my daughter, who was too upset to come to the funeral. Because Professor Jones can't attend the meeting tomorrow, he has asked his teaching assistant to appear for him.
See also: appear

appear in

1. To wear a particular outfit or accessory in public. I don't want to appear in a gown if all of the other women are in cocktail dresses.
2. To act, as in a play or movie. My agent has been getting a lot of calls about me ever since I appeared in "Wicked."
See also: appear

appear in court

To participate in legal proceedings. My lawyer and I have to appear in court today.
See also: appear, court

appear on

1. To suddenly become visible on something. That cat just appeared on my porch! Is he yours? The rash first appeared on my daughter last night, doctor.
2. To act, typically on television or in a play. Early in her acting career, she appeared on many TV shows. That actress hasn't appeared on stage in years.
See also: appear, on

appear out of thin air

To materialize suddenly or unexpectedly, as from nothing. You need to work hard—opportunities don't just appear out of thin air. The magician's final trick makes it look like he appears out of thin air.
See also: air, appear, of, out, thin

appear to

1. To seem like. It appears to me that she isn't interested in this project, as she hasn't attended one meeting. I left early because it appeared to me that you weren't coming. It appears to be genuine, but we'll have to get an expert to examine it.
2. To become visible to someone. I'm telling you, the Virgin Mary appeared to me in a vision last night.
See also: appear

appear under the name (of)

To do something publicly (such as acting or writing) using a name other than one's birth name. A: "I don't see your sister in the playbill." B: "Oh, when she acts, she appears under the name R.A. Smith."
See also: appear, name

be what you appear to be

proverb Act and present yourself truthfully and authentically. Simply be what you appear to be, and you'll avoid plenty of confusion and heartbreak.
See also: appear, what

out of nowhere

Appearing all of a sudden, without any prior warning or indication. Out of nowhere, this crazed bull started charging at us! These threatening letters began showing up in our mailbox out of nowhere.
See also: nowhere, of, out

rooted to the spot

Unable to move from the place where one is standing or situated, usually because of intense fear or shock. I stood rooted to the spot for a minute after seeing the two cars collide across the street. As I turned the corner, I saw that I was barreling toward a deer that was rooted to the spot.
See also: root, spot

speak of the devil, and he appears

An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, speak of the devil, and he appears! We were just talking about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, speak

speak of the devil, and he is sure to appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, speak of the devil, and he is sure to appear! We were just talking about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, speak, sure

speak of the devil, and he shall appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, speak of the devil, and he shall appear! We were just talking about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, shall, speak

speak of the devil, and he will appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, speak of the devil, and he will appear! We were just talking about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, speak, will

talk of the devil, and he is bound to appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, talk of the devil, and he is bound to appear! We were just chatting about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, bound, he, of, talk

talk of the devil, and he is sure to appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, talk of the devil, and he is sure to appear! We were just chatting about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, sure, talk

talk of the devil, and he shall appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, talk of the devil, and he shall appear! We were just chatting about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, shall, talk

talk of the devil, and he will appear

proverb An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, talk of the devil, and he will appear! We were just chatting about something funny you said the other day."
See also: and, appear, he, of, talk, will
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

appear as something

 
1. to act a certain part in a play, opera, etc. Madame Smith-Franklin appeared as Carmen at the City Opera last season. The actor refused to appear as a villain in the play.
2. [for something] to be seen or occur in a particular form or with particular characteristics. The tumors appear as shadows on the X-ray. The first signs of the disease appear as a fever and a rash.
See also: appear

appear at

some place to perform at a particular place. She is appearing at the Bijou all month. I will appear at Carnegie Hall soon.
See also: appear

appear at some time

to arrive at a particular time. I am due to appear at the council at noon. I will appear at the meeting whenever my plane gets in.
See also: appear, time

appear before someone

 
1. to show up in the presence of someone, suddenly. The deer appeared before us with no sound or other warning. A frightful specter appeared before me.
2. to have a trial or hearing with a particular judge or court. You have to appear before Judge Cahill tomorrow. Have you ever appeared before the Supreme Court?
See also: appear, before

appear before something

to arrive in advance of the appointed time or before some event. Please appear at least ten minutes before you are due. It is best to appear shortly before the time of your interview.
See also: appear, before

appear for someone

to represent or substitute for a person who is absent. I will appear for you in the council. Who is going to appear for my lawyer, who is ill?
See also: appear

appear in court

to go to a court of law as a participant. She has to appear in court tomorrow. I have to appear in court for my traffic violation.
See also: appear, court

appear in something

 
1. to be seen in some performance. The singer will appear in the opera with the rest of the chorus. I will appear in Aida.
2. to be seen wearing something. I wouldn't appear in that in public! Would you want to appear in a wrinkled suit?
See also: appear

appear to someone

[for something] to make an appearance before someone. My late grandmother appeared to me in a dream.
See also: appear

appear to someone (that...)

Fig. to seem to someone that... It appears to me that you are always late.
See also: appear

appear under the name of (some name)

[for an actor] to perform under a special name. She is appearing under the name of Fifi. I appeared under the stage name Rex Righteous.
See also: appear, name, of

appear (up)on something

to arrive and be seen on something. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) A fly appeared on the sterile bandages. A small bird appeared on our mailbox.
See also: appear, on

*naked eye

the human eye, unassisted by optics, such as a telescope, microscope, or spectacles. (*Typically: appear to ~; look to ~; see with ~; visible to~.) I can't see the bird's markings with the naked eye. The scientist could see nothing in the liquid with the naked eye, but with the aid of a microscope, she identified the bacteria. That's how it appears to the naked eye.
See also: eye, naked

*out of nowhere

appearing suddenly, without warning. (*Typically: appear ~; come ~; materialize ~.) A huge bear appeared out of nowhere and roared and threatened us. Suddenly, a truck came out of nowhere. Without warning, the storm came out of nowhere.
See also: nowhere, of, out

*rooted to the spot

Fig. unable to move because of fear or surprise. (*Typically: appear to be ~; be ~;become ~.) Jane stood rooted to the spot when she saw the ghostly figure. Mary stood rooted to the spot when the thief snatched her bag.
See also: root, spot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

appear as

Act the part of in public, usually alluding to a performance on stage. For example, She got wonderful reviews when she appeared as Portia. This idiom uses appear in the sense of "to come before the public," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
See also: appear

naked eye

Sight unassisted by an instrument such as a microscope or telescope. For example, These insects are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This expression was first recorded in 1664.
See also: eye, naked

out of nowhere

Suddenly, unexpectedly, as in That anonymous letter turned up out of nowhere. It is often put as come out of nowhere, as in Their team came out of nowhere and won the state championship. This term uses out of in the sense of "from," and nowhere in the sense of "an unknown place." For a synonym, see out of a clear blue sky.
See also: nowhere, of, out

rooted to the spot

Not moving, especially owing to some strong emotion. For example, When the truck bore down on the dog, he was terrified and stood rooted to the spot. This idiom likens the roots of a plant to a strong feeling that keeps one from moving.
See also: root, spot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

appear, etc. out of thin ˈair

appear, etc. suddenly from nowhere or nothing: The car seemed to appear out of thin air. I didn’t have time to brake. She seems to conjure wonderful costumes out of thin air.
See also: air, of, out, thin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • appear as
  • can do with
  • could do with
  • could do with (something)
  • could do with something
  • caught in the crunch
  • correspond
  • correspond about (someone or something)
  • interval
  • at intervals
References in classic literature
Our conception of the degree of freedom often varies according to differences in the point of view from which we regard the event, but every human action appears to us as a certain combination of freedom and inevitability.
And in the same way every action of an insane, intoxicated, or highly excited man appears less free and more inevitable to one who knows the mental condition of him who committed the action, and seems more free and less inevitable to one who does not know it.
War and Peace
It appeared to her that the sounds spread to a distance beneath the vaulted roofs, and carried with them a magic charm to soften the hearts of her jailers.
Milady was so beautiful at this moment, the religious ecstasy in which she appeared to be plunged gave such an expression to her countenance, that Felton was so dazzled that he fancied he beheld the angel whom he had only just before heard.
Three Musketeers
Above all, he appeared, like a philosopher, and all old soldiers are philosophers, -- he appeared above all to comprehend the ennuis infinitely better than the joys; but in the one he took his part, knowing very well how to do without the other.
It was not the first time, as it appeared, that the eyes of the officer had met those eyes, and he was perfectly acquainted with the expression of them; for, as soon as he had cast his own look upon the countenance of Louis XIV., and had read by it what was passing in his heart -- that is to say, all the ennui that oppressed him -- all the timid desire to go out which agitated him, -- he perceived he must render the king a service without his commanding it, -- almost in spite of himself.
Ten Years Later
He appears to know every detail of every horror perpetrated in the century.
A Study In Scarlet
Besides the several evident causes of destruction, there appears to be some more mysterious agency generally at work.
The Voyage of the Beagle
A tower rose to the ceiling, halfway up appeared a window with a lamp burning in it, and behind the white curtain appeared Zara in a lovely blue and silver dress, waiting for Roderigo.
Little Women
Would to God, Richard, or any of his vaunting minions of England, would appear in these lists!
Ivanhoe
He dreaded not so much the revelation, for he could reply to or deny its truth; -- he cared little for that mene, tekel, upharsin, which appeared suddenly in letters of blood upon the wall; -- but what he was really anxious for was to discover whose hand had traced them.
Count of Monte Cristo
He manifested the greatest eagerness to be upon deck to watch for the sledge which had before appeared; but I have persuaded him to remain in the cabin, for he is far too weak to sustain the rawness of the atmosphere.
Frankenstein
We looked about us uncertain whither to direct our steps, since the path we had so far followed appeared to be lost in the open space around us.
Typee
Nothing more was said until the waiter appeared at the bar with his tray.
Man And Wife
Dropping to the ground once more he picked up the trail of the girl and her captors, which he followed easily along what appeared to be a well-beaten trail.
Tarzan the Untamed