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show (one's) heels

 - 1 dictionary result
show   (shō)   
v.   showed, shown (shōn) or showed, show·ing, shows

v.   tr.
    1. To cause or allow to be seen; display.

    2. To display for sale, in exhibition, or in competition: showed her most recent paintings.

    3. To demonstrate by reasoning or procedure: showed that the hypothesis was wrong; a film that showed how to tune a piano.

    4. To demonstrate to by reasoning or procedure; inform or prove to: showed him how to fix the camera; showed her that it could really happen.

  1. To conduct; guide: showed them to the table.

  2. To direct one's attention to; point out: show them the biggest squash in the garden.

  3. To manifest (an emotion or condition, for example); reveal: showed displeasure at his remark; a carpet that shows wear.

  4. To permit access to (a house, for example) when offering for sale or rent.

  5. To reveal (oneself) as in one's behavior or condition: The old boat showed itself to be seaworthy.

  6. To indicate; register: The altimeter showed that the plane was descending.

    1. To demonstrate by reasoning or procedure: showed that the hypothesis was wrong; a film that showed how to tune a piano.

    2. To demonstrate to by reasoning or procedure; inform or prove to: showed him how to fix the camera; showed her that it could really happen.

  7. To grant; bestow: showed no mercy to the traitors.

  8. Law To plead; allege: show cause.

v.   intr.
  1. To be or become visible or evident.

  2. Slang To make an appearance; show up: didn't show for her appointment.

    1. To be exhibited publicly: What's showing at the movie theater tonight?

    2. To give a performance or present an exhibition.

  3. Sports To finish third or better in a horserace or dog race.

n.  
  1. A display; a manifestation: made a show of strength.

    1. A trace or indication, as of oil in a well.

    2. The discharge of bloody mucus from the vagina indicating the start of labor.

    3. The first discharge of blood in menstruation.

    4. A striking appearance or display; a spectacle.

    5. A pompous or ostentatious display.

    6. A public exhibition or entertainment.

    7. An exposition for the display or demonstration of commercial products: an auto show.

    8. A usually competitive exhibition of domestic animals: won first place at the cat show.

    9. A radio or television program.

    10. A movie.

    11. A theatrical troupe or company.

  2. A false appearance; a pretense: only a show of kindness.

    1. A striking appearance or display; a spectacle.

    2. A pompous or ostentatious display.

    3. A public exhibition or entertainment.

    4. An exposition for the display or demonstration of commercial products: an auto show.

    5. A usually competitive exhibition of domestic animals: won first place at the cat show.

    6. A radio or television program.

    7. A movie.

    8. A theatrical troupe or company.

  3. Display or outward appearance: This antique tea service is just for show. His smile was for show.

    1. A public exhibition or entertainment.

    2. An exposition for the display or demonstration of commercial products: an auto show.

    3. A usually competitive exhibition of domestic animals: won first place at the cat show.

    4. A radio or television program.

    5. A movie.

    6. A theatrical troupe or company.

    1. A radio or television program.

    2. A movie.

    3. A theatrical troupe or company.

  4. Informal An affair or undertaking: ran the whole show.

  5. Sports Third place at the finish, as in a horserace.

  6. To be clearly visible.

  7. To put in an appearance; arrive.

  8. To expose or reveal the true character or nature of: showed their efforts up as a waste of time.

  9. Informal To surpass, as in ability or intelligence.

Phrasal Verb(s):
show offTo display or behave in an ostentatious or conspicuous way.
show up
  1. To be clearly visible.

  2. To put in an appearance; arrive.

  3. To expose or reveal the true character or nature of: showed their efforts up as a waste of time.

  4. Informal To surpass, as in ability or intelligence.


Idiom(s):
get the show on the road Slang To get started.

Idiom(s):
show (one's) hand
  1. Games To display one's cards with faces up.

  2. To state one's intentions or reveal one's resources, especially when previously hidden.


Idiom(s):
show (one's) heelsTo depart from quickly; flee.

Idiom(s):
show (someone) a good timeTo occupy (someone) with amusing things; entertain.

[Middle English sheuen, shouen, from Old English scēawian, to look at, display.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to present something to view. Show is the most general: "She hated to show her feelings" (John Galsworthy).
Display often suggests an attempt to present something to best advantage: The dealer spread the rug out to display the pattern.
Expose usually involves uncovering something or bringing it out from concealment: The excavation exposed a staggering number of artifacts.
The term can often imply revelation of something better left concealed: Your comment exposes your insensitivity.
Parade usually suggests a pretentious or boastful presentation: "He early discovered that, by parading his unhappiness before the multitude, he produced an immense sensation" (Thomas Macaulay).
Exhibit implies open presentation that invites inspection: "The works of art, by being publicly exhibited and offered for sale, are becoming articles of trade" (Prince Albert).
Flaunt implies an unabashed, prideful, often arrogant display: "Every great hostelry flaunted the flag of some foreign potentate" (John Dos Passos). See Also Synonyms at appear.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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