Express turning up on time (3)
I believe the answer is:
put
'express' is the definition.
(I know that put is a more specific form of the action articulate)
'turning up on time' is the wordplay.
'turning' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'up on' becomes 'up' (similar in meaning).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'up' back-to-front is 'pu'.
'pu'+'t'='PUT'
(Other definitions for put that I've seen before include "Set (in place)" , "Place in a location" , "Place; placed" , "Place, lay" , "Place in a position" .)