- show
- show1 W1S1 [ʃəu US ʃou] v past tense showed past participle shown [ʃəun US ʃoun]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(let somebody see)¦2¦(prove something)¦3¦(feelings/attitudes/qualities)¦4¦(explain with actions)¦5¦(picture/map etc)¦6¦(guide somebody)¦7¦(point at something)¦8¦(film/television)¦9¦(be easy to see)¦10¦(dirt/mark)¦11¦(increase/decrease)¦12¦(art/pictures)¦13 I'll show him/them etc14 have something to show for something15 show your face16 show your hand17¦(animal)¦18¦(arrive)¦19 show somebody in a good/bad etc light20 show somebody the door21 show (somebody) who's boss22 show the way23 show a leg!24 show (somebody) a clean pair of heelsPhrasal verbsshow somebody around (something)show offshow somebody over somethingshow up▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: sceawian 'to look, look at, see']1.) ¦(LET SOMEBODY SEE)¦ [T]to let someone see somethingshow sb sth▪ The children proudly showed me their presents.show sth to sb▪ Show your ticket to the woman at the entrance.▪ The man grinned, showing bad teeth.2.) ¦(PROVE SOMETHING)¦ [T]to provide facts or information that make it clear that something is true, that something exists, or that something has happened▪ Figures showed a 9% rise in inflation.▪ Gary has shown his faith in the club's future by agreeing to stay on.show (that)▪ Mike needed a copy of the will to show that the books had been left to him.show sb (that)▪ We have shown our critics that we can succeed.show how▪ This document shows how to oppose bad decisions about new housing.show what▪ She just wants a chance to show what she can do.show sb/sth to be sth▪ Charles showed himself to be a fine leader.be shown to be/do sth▪ The campaign has been shown to be a waste of money.▪ The new treatment has been shown to reduce the number of deaths.studies/evidence/research etc shows▪ Several studies have shown that aggressive toys lead to bad behaviour.▪ The Polish economy began to show signs of recovery.▪ It just goes to show (=proves) how much people judge each other on how they look.3.) ¦(FEELINGS/ATTITUDES/QUALITIES)¦ [T]to let your feelings, attitudes, or personal qualities be clearly seen▪ Think positively and show some determination.▪ She had learned not to show her emotions .▪ It was the sound a man might make when in pain but trying not to show it.▪ Mary showed great interest in the children.4.) ¦(EXPLAIN WITH ACTIONS)¦ [T]to explain to someone how to do something, by doing it yourself or using actions to help them learnshow sb how▪ Show me how the gun works.show sb how to do sth▪ Maureen showed Peter how to feed the young animals.show sb sth▪ Can you show Lucy the way to slice onions?5.) ¦(PICTURE/MAP ETC)¦ [T]if a picture, map etc shows something, you can see it on the picture, map etc▪ I want a photograph that shows his face.▪ The map shows the main rivers of the region.6.) ¦(GUIDE SOMEBODY)¦ [T]to go with someone and guide them to a placeshow sb to/into sth▪ Can you show Mrs Davies to the bathroom?show sb out/in▪ I can show myself out (=out of the office or house) .show sb sth▪ Come on, I'll show you the way .7.) ¦(POINT AT SOMETHING)¦ [T]to let someone see where a place or thing is, especially by pointing to itshow sb where▪ Can you show me exactly where he fell?8.) ¦(FILM/TELEVISION)¦ [I and T]to make a film or television programme available on a screen for people to see, or to be on a screen▪ The film was shown on television last night.▪ The match was shown live (=could be seen on television while it was being played) .▪ It's now showing at cinemas across London.→↑showing9.) ¦(BE EASY TO SEE)¦if something shows, it is easy to see▪ His happiness showed in his face.▪ Her scar doesn't show, because her hair covers it.▪ Stephen was worried and it showed.10.)¦(DIRT/MARK)¦ [T]if material shows the dirt or a mark, it is easy to see the dirt or mark on it▪ Light-coloured clothes tend to show the dirt.11.) ¦(INCREASE/DECREASE)¦ [T]to have an increase or decrease in something, or a profit or loss▪ The price of players is the reason why many football clubs show big losses on their balance sheets.▪ Recent elections have shown significant gains by right-wing groups.12.) ¦(ART/PICTURES)¦ [T]to put a group of paintings or other works of art in one place so that people can come and see them▪ Her recent sculptures are being shown at the Hayward Gallery.▪ The Whitney Museum was the first to show Mapplethorpe's photographs.13.) I'll show him/them etc[i]spoken used to say that you will prove to someone that you are better, more effective etc than they think you are14.) have sth to show for sthto have something as a result of what you have been doing▪ If he fails his exams, he'll have nothing to show for his time at school.▪ She had plenty of money to show for all her work.15.) show your faceif you will not show your face somewhere, you will not go there because you have a good reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about being there▪ She never shows her face around here.16.) show your handto make your true power or intentions clear, especially after you have been keeping them secret▪ There were so many rumours that the company was forced to show its hand.17.) ¦(ANIMAL)¦ [T]to put an animal into a competition with other animals▪ Do you plan to show your dogs?18.) ¦(ARRIVE)¦ also show up[i]informal especially AmE to arrive at the place where someone is waiting for you▪ I went to meet Hank, but he never showed.19.) show sb in a good/bad etc lightif an action shows you in a good or bad light, it makes people have a good or bad opinion of you▪ During an interview you need to show yourself in the best possible light.20.) show sb the doorto make it clear that someone is not welcome and should leave21.) show (sb) who's boss informalto prove to someone who is threatening your authority that you are more powerful than they are▪ You've got to show your dog who's boss. When you say sit, he should sit.22.) show the wayif you show the way for other people, you do something new that others then try to copy23.) show a leg!BrE spoken used to tell someone to get out of bed24.) show (sb) a clean pair of heelsBrE old-fashioned informal to run away very fastshow around () [show sb around (sth)] phr vto go around a place with someone when they first arrive there, to show them what is interesting, useful etc▪ Harrison showed her around the house.show off phr v1.) to try to make people admire your abilities, achievements, or possessions - used to show disapproval▪ He couldn't resist showing off on the tennis court.2.) show sth<=>offto show something to a lot of people because you are very proud of it▪ a picture of the restaurant's owners showing off their award3.) show sth<=>offif one thing shows off something else, it makes the other thing look especially attractive▪ The white dress showed off her dark skin beautifully.show over [show sb over sth] phr vto guide someone through an interesting building or a house that is for sale▪ Ingrid has a job showing visitors over the castle.show up phr v1.) informal to arrive, especially at the place where someone is waiting for you= ↑turn up▪ Seth showed up, apologising for being late.▪ We had 200 people show up for our seminar.2.) show sth<=>upto make it possible to see or notice something that was not clear before▪ The sunlight showed up the marks on the window.3.) to be easy to see or notice▪ Use a light colour which will show up on a dark background.4.) show sb<=>upto make someone feel embarrassed by behaving in a stupid or unacceptable way when you are with them▪ She says I showed her up in front of her friends when they came to the house.show 2show2 W1S1 n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(performance)¦2¦(tv/radio)¦3¦(collection of things to see)¦4 on show5 a show of something6¦(pretended act)¦7 for show8¦(colourful scene)¦9¦(competition)¦10¦(event/situation)¦11 put up a good/poor etc show12 let's get this show on the road13 (jolly) good show▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(PERFORMANCE)¦a performance for the public, especially one that includes singing, dancing, or jokes▪ I enjoyed the show immensely.▪ The show starts at 7:30 pm.▪ They've come to town to see a Broadway show.▪ Perry was the star of the show .2.) ¦(TV/RADIO)¦a programme on television or on the radio▪ a TV show▪ a television quiz show (=a show in which people compete to answer questions)▪ The senator appeared on the CBS show 'Face the Nation'.▪ Presenter Fiona Harper will be hosting the show (=introducing guests) .3.) ¦(COLLECTION OF THINGS TO SEE)¦an occasion when a lot of similar things are brought together in one place so that people can come and look at them▪ the Paris Boat Show▪ a fashion show for charity▪ Kelly has a show of her latest work opening shortly.4.) on showbeing shown to the public▪ Paintings by Matisse are on show at the New York Gallery.▪ The designer clothes will go on show in Chicago next month.▪ Local antiques will be put on show in a new building especially built for the collection.5.) a show of sthan occasion when someone deliberately shows a particular feeling, attitude, or quality▪ I felt I should make a show of dignity.▪ The award will be seen as a show of support.show of strength/force▪ a strong and determined show of force by the police6.) ¦(PRETENDED ACT)¦ [singular, U]when you pretend to do or feel something= ↑pretence show of▪ a show of gratitude▪ Susan put on a show of regret all day.▪ The waiter made a show of wiping the table.7.) for showwith the purpose of looking attractive or impressive rather than being useful▪ He does actually play his guitar - it's not just for show.8.) ¦(COLOURFUL SCENE)¦ [singular]an impressive scene, especially one that is very colourfulshow of▪ a glorious show of colour in the rose garden▪ Maple trees put on their best show in the autumn.9.) ¦(COMPETITION)¦a competition between similar things or animals to choose the best▪ The dog show was being held in the Agricultural Hall.10.)¦(EVENT/SITUATION)¦ [singular] informalsomething which is being done or organized▪ We need to find someone to run the show (=be in charge) .11.) put up a good/poor etc show informalto perform, play etc well or badly▪ Our team put up a pretty good show, but we lost in the end.12.) let's get this show on the roadspoken used to tell people it is time to start working or start a journey13.) (jolly) good showBrE old-fashioned spoken used to express your approval of something
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.