show off Definition

show
verb showed (past tense), shown (past participle), showed, showing (present participle)

tr & intr
1. To make or become visible, known or noticeable

Example: Does my embarrassment show?
Thesaurus: exhibit, display, manifest, evidence.
2. To present to view.
3. To display or exhibit.
4. To prove, indicate or reveal.

Example: This shows us that man evolved from the ape
Thesaurus: tell, divulge, explain, illustrate, reveal, explicate, clarify, elucidate, demonstrate, convince, persuade.
5. To prove oneself or itself to be.

Example: He always shows himself to be such a gentleman
6. To teach by demonstrating.

Example: She showed me how to draw
7. To lead, guide or escort.

Example: I'll show you to the door
8. To give.

Example: Show him some respect
9. To represent or manifest.

Example: The exam results show a marked improvement
intr
10. Said of a cinema film, theatre production, etc: to be part of a current programme.

Example: Rob Roy is now showing at the local Odeon
intr
11. slang
To appear or arrive
Example: What time did he show?

noun

1. An act of showing.
2. Any form of entertainment or spectacle.

Thesaurus: sight, spectacle, pageant, carnival, production, concert.
3. An exhibition.

Thesaurus: exhibition, exposition.
4. A pretence.

Example: a show of friendship
Thesaurus: pretence, sham, semblance, affectation, façade, illusion, pose.
5. A sign or indication.

Example: The slightest show of emotion made him uncomfortable
6. A display of true feeling.
7. colloq
Proceedings; affair.
8. old use, colloq
Effort; attempt.
Example: jolly good show
9. medicine.
In childbirth: a small discharge of blood and mucus at the start of labour.

Idiom: for show

For the sake of outward appearances; for effect.

Idiom: give the show away

To let out or reveal a secret.

Idiom: have something to show (have nothing to show)

Have, or not have, a reward or benefit for one's efforts.

Idiom: on show

On display; available to be seen.

Idiom: run the show

colloq
To be in charge; to take over or dominate.

Idiom: a show of hands

A vote carried out by raising hands.

Idiom: steal the show

See under steal.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sceawian to look.

Phrasal Verb: show someone in, out, over, round, up

To usher or conduct them.

Phrasal Verb: show off

To display oneself or one's talents precociously, aimed at inviting attention or admiration.To behave in an ostentatious manner. See also show-off.

Phrasal Verb: show something off

To display it proudly, inviting admiration.To display it to good effect.
Example: The cream rug shows off the red carpet nicely

Phrasal Verb: show up

To arrive; to turn up.To be clearly visible.

Phrasal Verb: show someone up

To embarrass or humiliate them in public.

Phrasal Verb: show something up

To make it appear inadequate or inferior by comparison.