{n.} A boastful person. •/Jim always has to be the center
of attention; he is an insufferable showoff./
[show off]
{v. phr.} 1. To put out nicely for people to see; display;
exhibit. •/The Science Fair gave Julia a chance to show off her shell
collection./ •/The girls couldn’t wait to show off their fine needlework to
our visitors./ 2. {informal} To try to attract attention; also, try to
attract attention to. •/The children always show off when we have company./
•/Joe hasn’t missed a chance to show off his muscles since that pretty girl
moved in next door./
[show of hands]
{n. phr.} An open vote during a meeting when those who
vote "yes" and those who vote "no" hold up their hands to be counted. •/The
chairman said, "I’d like to see a show of hands if we’re ready for the
vote."/
[show one’s colors]
{v. phr.} 1. To show what you are really like.
•/We thought Toby was timid, but he showed his colors when he rescued the
ponies from the burning barn./ 2. To make known what you think or plan to do.
•/Mr. Ryder is afraid that he will lose the election if he shows his colors
on civil rights./ •/We would not help Jim until he showed his colors./
[show one’s face]
{v. phr.} To be seen; appear. •/Bill is afraid to
show his face since Tom threatened to beat him up./ •/Judy is a wonderful
mimic but she is too shy to show her face on stage./ •/After cheating on
the test, Chris was ashamed to show his face./
[show one’s hand]
{v. phr.} To reveal or exhibit one’s true and
hitherto hidden purpose. •/Only after becoming Chancellor of Germany did
Adolf Hitler really show his hand and reveal that he intended to take over
other countries./
[show one’s teeth]
{v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. •/He
is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business negotiation he
knows how to show his teeth./
[show signs]
See: GIVE SIGNS.
[show the door]
{v. phr.} To ask (someone) to go away. •/Ruth was
upsetting the other children, so I showed her the door./ •/Our neighbors
invited themselves to the party and stayed until Harry showed them the door./
[show up]
{v.} 1. To make known the real truth about (someone). •/The
man said he was a mind reader, but he was shown up as a fake./ 2. To come or
bring out; become or make easy to see. •/The detective put a chemical on the
paper, and the fingertips showed up./ •/This test shows up your weaknesses
in arithmetic./ 3. {informal} To come; appear. •/We had agreed to meet
at the gym, but Larry didn’t show up./ •/Only five students showed up for
the class meeting./ Compare: TURN UP(2).