View synonyms for dog and pony show

dog and pony show

noun

, Informal.

an elaborate sales, advertising, or publicity presentation or campaign.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dog and pony show¹

First recorded in 1965–70

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Idioms and Phrases

An elaborate presentation to gain approval for a product or policy. For example, The administration loved putting on a dog-and-pony show for every minor change of policy . This term alludes to a traveling variety show. [1950s]

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Example Sentences

Is putting on a little dog-and-pony show every now and then detracting from the feminist cause?

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April 24, 2024gallimaufry

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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