show

show

I. show¹ S1 W1 /ʃəʊ $ ʃoʊ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense showed, past participle shown /ʃəʊn $ ʃoʊn/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: sceawian 'to look, look at, see']
1. LET SOMEBODY SEE [transitive] to let someone see something
show somebody something
The children proudly showed me their presents.
show something to somebody
Show your ticket to the woman at the entrance.
The man grinned, showing bad teeth.
2. PROVE SOMETHING [transitive] 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 somebody (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 somebody/something to be something
Charles showed himself to be a fine leader.
be shown to be/do something
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.
REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to use indicate, which sounds more formal than show:
▪ The latest statistics indicate that the country is falling deeper into recession.
In scientific contexts, they often prefer prove or demonstrate, which sound more definite:
▪ This research demonstrates the need to treat cancer early.
3. FEELINGS/ATTITUDES/QUALITIES [transitive] to let your feelings, attitudes, or personal qualities be clearly seen OPP hide:
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 [transitive] to explain to someone how to do something, by doing it yourself or using actions to help them learn
show somebody how
Show me how the gun works.
show somebody how to do something
Maureen showed Peter how to feed the young animals.
show somebody something
Can you show Lucy the way to slice onions?
5. PICTURE/MAP ETC [transitive] 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 [transitive] to go with someone and guide them to a place
show somebody to/into something
Can you show Mrs Davies to the bathroom?
show somebody out/in
I can show myself out (=out of the office or house).
show somebody something
Come on, I’ll show you the way.
7. POINT AT SOMETHING [transitive] to let someone see where a place or thing is, especially by pointing to it
show somebody where
Can you show me exactly where he fell?
8. FILM/TELEVISION [intransitive and transitive] 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. ⇨ ↑showing(1)
9. BE EASY TO SEE [intransitive] 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 [transitive] 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 [transitive] 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 [transitive] to put a group of paintings or other works of art in one place so that people can come and see them SYN exhibit:
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 spoken used to say that you will prove to someone that you are better, more effective etc than they think you are
14. have something to show for something to have something as a result of what you have been doing:
If he fails, 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 face if 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 hand to 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 [transitive] to put an animal into a competition with other animals:
Do you plan to show your dogs?
18. ARRIVE [intransitive] (also show up) informal especially American English to arrive at the place where someone is waiting for you SYN turn up:
I went to meet Hank, but he never showed.
19. show somebody in a good/bad etc light if 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 somebody the door to make it clear that someone is not welcome and should leave
21. show (somebody) who’s boss informal to 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 way if you show the way for other people, you do something new that others then try to copy
23. show willing British English to make it clear that you are willing to do something:
He hasn’t done any cooking yet, but at least he’s shown willing.
24. show a leg! British English spoken used to tell someone to get out of bed
25. show (somebody) a clean pair of heels British English old-fashioned informal to run away very fast
26. show me the money American English spoken informal used to tell someone to give or pay you a lot of money, rather than just talk about the fact that they will give it to you
• • •
THESAURUS
■ let someone see
▪ show to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building. | Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.
▪ flash to show something to someone very quickly: ‘We’re police’, he said, flashing his card at us. | Miranda flashed a surprised look into the mirror.
▪ let somebody have a look/take a look especially spoken to show something to someone, especially so that they can examine it, repair it etc: If the wound doesn’t get better soon, you should let the doctor take a look at it. | Mike’s good with cars – let him have a look.
▪ reveal especially written to let someone see or know about something that is usually hidden, or that you want to keep secret – often used about showing your feelings or private thoughts: Suzy looked away quickly in order not to reveal her true feelings. | He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a small snake.
▪ expose especially written to let someone see something that could not be seen before: The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand. | The bear opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
■ show someone how to do something
▪ show to explain to someone how to do something or how something works, especially by doing it yourself: Laurie’s been showing me how to snowboard. | Can I show you how the oven works?
▪ demonstrate to show how to do something or how something works – especially to a group of people: A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the machines properly. | There’s a meeting this afternoon to demonstrate the new software.
▪ guide/take somebody through something to show someone how to do something, or how a process happens, especially something difficult or complicated: The book guides you through the different stages of starting your own business. | A stockbroker will take you through the minefield of stocks and shares.
show somebody around (something) (also show somebody round (something) British English) phrasal verb
to 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 phrasal verb
1. to try to make people admire your abilities, achievements, or possessions – used to show disapproval ⇨ show-off:
He couldn’t resist showing off on the tennis court.
2. show something ↔ off to show something to a lot of people because you are very proud of it:
a picture of the restaurant’s owners showing off their award
3. show something ↔ off if one thing shows off something else, it makes the other thing look especially attractive SYN complement:
The white dress showed off her dark skin beautifully.
show somebody over something phrasal verb especially British English
to guide someone through an interesting building or a house that is for sale:
Ingrid has a job showing visitors over the castle.
show up phrasal verb
1. informal to arrive, especially at the place where someone is waiting for you SYN turn up:
Seth showed up, apologising for being late.
We had 200 people show up for our seminar.
2. show something ↔ up to 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 somebody ↔ up to make someone feel embarrassed by behaving in a stupid or unacceptable way when you are with them SYN embarrass:
She says I showed her up in front of her friends when they came to the house.
II. show² S1 W1 BrE AmE noun
1. PERFORMANCE [countable] 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. ⇨ ↑floor show, ↑roadshow
2. TV/RADIO [countable] a programme on television or on the radio:
The senator appeared on the CBS show ‘Face the Nation’.
a new television quiz show ⇨ ↑chat show, ↑game show, ↑talk show
3. COLLECTION OF THINGS TO SEE [countable] 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 show being 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 something an 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 police
6. PRETENDED ACT [singular, uncountable] when you pretend to do or feel something SYN 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 show with 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 colourful SYN display
show of
a glorious show of colour in the rose garden
Maple trees put on their best show in the autumn.
9. COMPETITION [countable] 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] informal something 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 informal to 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 road spoken used to tell people it is time to start working or start a journey
13. (jolly) good show British English old-fashioned spoken used to express your approval of something
⇨ steal the show at ↑steal¹(4)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + show
▪ live (=broadcast on TV or radio as it is happening) Tonight’s show is live from Wembley Stadium.
▪ a TV/television/radio show What’s your favourite TV show?
▪ a quiz show (=in which people try to answer questions correctly) It’s the BBC’s most popular quiz show.
▪ a game show (=in which people play games or answer questions to win prizes) It’s been a popular game show for years.
▪ a chat show British English, a talk show American English (=in which famous or interesting people talk to someone about themselves) She was on the chat show to publicize her new novel.
▪ a family show (=one that is suitable for families and children to watch) It’s a real family show, with something for everyone.
▪ a news show especially AmE: the morning news show
■ verbs
▪ appear on/take part in a show (=to be a guest on a show) They were trying to persuade Daniel Radcliffe to appear on the show.
▪ host a show (also present a show British English) (=to be the person who introduces the different parts of a show, or who talks to guests) He presents his own talk show on ITV.
▪ watch a show People of all ages watch the show.
■ phrases
▪ the star of the show Very quickly, Williams became the star of the show.