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show off

ʃoʊ ɒf

informal
beginner
Base verb:
show
Particle:
off
Separable:
Yes

What does "show off" mean?

  1. To display proudly to impress others
  2. To behave in a way that attracts attention

Examples

  • He loves to show off his new car.
  • Stop showing off in front of your friends!
  • She showed off her engagement ring.
  • The kids were showing off for the visitors.
  • He's always showing off about his money.

How to use it

'Show-off' (noun) is someone who constantly tries to impress. Usually negative when describing behaviour.

Word order

For displaying: separable ('show your skills off'). For behaving: intransitive.

Similar expressions

display
flaunt
boast
brag

Opposites

hide
be modest

Related phrasal verbs

  • show up

    To arrive or appear somewhere

  • show around

    To guide someone through a place, pointing out features

  • turn off

    To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button

  • get off

    To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport

  • go off

    To explode or fire (bomb, gun, fireworks)

  • give off

    To emit or produce something (smell, heat, light, radiation)

Use it in a practice answer

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