Appear to belittle (4,2)
I believe the answer is:
show up
This clue could be a double definition.
'appear' is the first definition.
(I know that show up is a more specific form of the action appear)
'belittle' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for show up that I've seen before include "Arrive - put to shame" , "Expose or appear as arranged" , "Arrive (for an appointment)" , "Expose, or arrive as expected" , "Make an appearance" .)