an exposition for dealers or the public of products by various manufacturers in a particular industry, usually held in an exhibition hall, convention facility, or the like: the annual boat show.
23.
any kind of public exhibition or exposition: a show of Renoirs.
to display ostentatiously: The parade was designed to show off all the latest weapons of war.
b.
to seek to gain attention by displaying prominently one's abilities or accomplishments.
37.
show up,
a.
to make known, as faults; expose; reveal.
b.
to exhibit in a certain way; appear: White shows up well against a blue background.
c.
to come to or arrive at a place: We waited for two hours, but he didn't show up.
d.
to make (another) seem inferior; outdo.
Idioms
38.
make a show of, to be ostentatious about; affect: Whenever there are visitors, the bosses make a show of being nice to their employees.
39.
run the show, to control a business, situation, etc.; be in charge: My father runs the show in our house.
40.
steal the show,
a.
to usurp the credit or get the applause for something: That woman can act, but the child stole the show. He did all the work, but his partner stole the show.
b.
to be the most pleasing or spectacular item or person in a group.
41.
stop the show, to win such enthusiastic applause that a theatrical performance is temporarily interrupted.
Origin: before 900; (v.) Middle English showen, s(c)hewen to look at, show, Old English scēawian to look at; cognate with Dutch schowen,German schauen; (noun) Middle English s(c)hew(e), derivative of the v.
Related forms
show·a·ble, adjective
show·less, adjective
out·show, verb (used with object), out·showed, out·shown or out·showed, out·show·ing.
pre·show, adjective, noun, verb (used with object), pre·showed, pre·shown or pre·showed, pre·show·ing.
re·show, verb, re·showed, re·shown or re·showed, re·show·ing.
Synonyms 4. lead, conduct. 5. interpret, clarify, elucidate; reveal, disclose, divulge. 10. assert, affirm. 13. bestow, confer. 23. spectacle. 24, 25.Show,display,ostentation,pomp suggest the presentation of a more or less elaborate, often pretentious, appearance for the public to see. Show often indicates an external appearance that may or may not accord with actual facts: a show of modesty. Display applies to an intentionally conspicuous show: a great display of wealth. Ostentation is vain, ambitious, pretentious, or offensive display: tasteless and vulgar ostentation. Pomp suggests such a show of dignity and authority as characterizes a ceremony of state: The coronation was carried out with pomp and ceremonial. 30. deception, pretense, simulation, illusion.
c.1300, "act of exhibiting to view," from show (v.). Sense of "appearance put on with intention to deceive" is recorded from c.1526. Meaning "display, spectacle" is first recorded 1561; that of "ostentatious display" is from 1713 (showy is from 1712). Sense of "entertainment
program on radio or TV" is first recorded 1932. Meaning "third place in a horse race" is from 1925, Amer.Eng. Show of hands is attested from 1789; Phrase for show "for appearance's sake" is from c.1700. Show business is attested from 1850; shortened form show biz first attested 1945. Expression the show must go on is first attested 1941. Show-stopper is from 1926; show trial first recorded 1937.
show up
"arrive," 1888, see show (v.). Meaning "to disgrace through exposure" is attested from 1826.
Be clearly visible, as in The print doesn't show up against this dark background. [Late 1800s]
Put in an appearance, arrive, as in I wonder if he'll show up at all. [Late 1800s]
Expose or reveal the true character of, as in This failure showed up their efforts as a waste of time. [Early 1800s]
Also, show someone up. Surpass someone in ability, outdo someone, as in John's high score on that math test really showed up the rest of the class. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]