show off

Formsshows off, showing off, showed off, shown off

1. 1
   bragphrasal verbidiomatictransitive or intransitive

   To draw attention to something, or to display a skill, talent, or possession, in order to boast or win admiration.

   She couldn't wait to show off the engagement ring at work.

   The kids started showing off as soon as the cameras came out.

   Similarflaunt, strut

   Note

   A pronoun sits inside the phrase (don't show it off, she showed them off), while a longer object usually follows it whole: show off her driving prowess. With no object at all it names the behavior, and then it is usually a reproach; in Katharine Prescott Wormeley's translation of A Start in Life, a young man is told he talks to show off. Flaunt and strut are its close partners.

2. 2
   boastful personnoun · show-offcountable

   A person who boastfully displays their skill or ability, wanting to be admired.

   He's a bit of a show-off, always quoting Latin at dinner parties.

   The skate park was full of show-offs trying flips they hadn't mastered.

   Similarbraggart, boaster, exhibitionist, poser

   Note

   The noun takes a hyphen and adds its plural -s at the end, show-offs, while the verb stays two words. A bit of a show-off and such a show-off are its usual frames, and it also works before another noun, as in Cory Doctorow's smarmy, show-off questions.

3. 3
   highlightphrasal verbidiomatictransitive

   To display something so that its best qualities are seen.

   Gallery lights are angled to show off the texture of each painting.

   The open floor plan shows off the home's high ceilings and big windows.

   Similarparade

   Oppositehide, conceal

   Note

   Nothing here is vain: the subject is often a setting rather than a person, such as lighting that shows off a painting or a shop that puts its best fruit in front. Parade is its partner. Once a person does it to be admired, the phrase turns into the boastful meaning.

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