shown
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Related to shown: shown off
be shown the ropes
To be taught how to do or perform a job, task, or activity; to have explained or demonstrated how something is done. I had never worked on a ranch before, but I was shown the ropes by a friend of mine. This is Samantha, our new intern. Make sure she's shown the ropes by the end of the week. You were shown the ropes by Al? Well, that explains why you're getting all those error messages—the man can barely turn on a computer.
bleed (someone or something) dry
To take all of the resources that another person or thing has available. This phrase is often applied to money. Paying for my kids' education is just bleeding me dry. I hope I'll still be able to retire one day! Overhead costs are bleeding our business dry. We need to come up with a different way of doing things. Sheesh, the government is bleeding us dry with all these taxes!
in a bad light
Negatively; under unfavorable circumstances. (Typically used with the verbs "see" or "show," or some similar variation.) I'm flattered that he based a character in his novel on me, but I think I was shown in a bad light. The once-beloved mayor has been seen in a bad light ever since news of his tax-evasion scandal came to public attention. He was angry because the film portrayed him in a bad light.
show (a lot) of bottle
To act boldly; to show a lot of nerve. Primarily heard in UK. Wow, that intern sure showed a lot of bottle when she asked for a raise on her first day!
show (one) the ropes
To explain or demonstrate to one how to do or perform a job, task, or activity. I know there's a lot to take in, but your partner has been here for over 10 years and will show you the ropes. This class is intense! You're expected to know how to do everything from day one without anyone showing you the ropes.
show (one's) (true) colors
To reveal what one truly believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, temperament, or disposition. Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he showed his true colors once he realized that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. It's only in times of crisis that your friends will really show their colors.
show (one's) face
To go somewhere despite feeling embarrassed or being scorned. With the way my kids behaved there last time, I can never show my face in that restaurant again. How can you show your face around here, after what you did?
show (one's) hand
To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "show (one's) cards"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.) In business negotiations, it's important that you don't show your hand right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal possible. Pressure from the government is forcing the notoriously secretive CEO to show his hand regarding his company's tax profile and offshore accounts.
show (some) spine
To demonstrate determination, resolve, and strength of character. If you really think your boss's plan for the project is flawed, you need show spine and go tell him. If you guys want to keep your students from skipping class, you need to show some spine and give them failing grades.
show a/the white flag
To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in. After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant showed the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to show a white flag.
show bad faith
To indicate one's intention to violate the law. Do you think the prosecution will be able to prove that the defendant showed bad faith when he drew up that contract?
show foresight
To demonstrate consideration, anticipation, or preparation for what may happen or occur in the future. Considering that the cost of living is always going up, I think giving your employees regular raises shows a lot of foresight. You want to provide incentive for them to stay with the company. Your business proposal has got to show foresight if you want a shot at getting funding. These investors are looking for people who have thought through every eventuality.
show lot of promise
To demonstrate a great amount of potential for future success or excellence. That fullback shows a lot of promise—no wonder so many professional football teams are looking to draft him as soon as he graduates. This new treatment we're developing shows a lot of promise, but we won't know just how effective it is until it has been in use for a few years.
show muscle
1. verb, informal To demonstrate one's influence, power, or strength. The small but outspoken nation has been showing some muscle lately, with a wide range of military demonstrations. If you guys want to keep students from skipping class, you need to show a bit of muscle and give them failing grades.
2. noun, slang A well-defined muscle that can be easily seen, as of the arms, legs, or chest. Guys who only work their show muscles tend to neglect their core and are often much weaker than you might think.
show signs of (something)
To exhibit characteristics or traits indicative or suggestive of something. The economy has shown signs of decline in the last couple of months. The patient is showing all the usual signs of infection, except that there is no fever whatsoever.
show the flag
To stand up for, support, or defend someone or something. A number of people from the actor's hometown are arriving into New York to show the flag at his debut performance on Broadway. My country is often a target for insults or gibes abroad, so whenever I go traveling I make a point of showing the flag for it.
show the way
To guide someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "show" and "the." I've never been here before, so you need to show me the way. Your leadership has always shown the way for our company.
show the white feather
old-fashioned To act like or appear to be a coward; to exhibit cowardly traits or behavior. A white feather on a gamecock's tail was once considered a sign of impure breeding For all his blustery talk, the senator would showed the white feather when it actually came time to stand up against the president on the issue. He lost the respect of his community for showing the white feather when the police came through asking questions.
show through
To be or become visible, noticeable, or apparent through something else. I think your shirt is too small—look, your belly is showing through! His intentions seem honorable enough, but ask him about how much money stands to be made and his real motivation starts to show through.
show up
1. To be apparent, visible, or detected. Please fill in your exam with blue or black ink—pencil will not show up correctly when we scan the papers. The photo was a bit overexposed, so we don't really show up in it very well. I'm curious whether my scar tissue will show up in this scan.
2. To appear or arrive. Tom showed up at my door with flowers to apologize for his rude remarks. The villain is foreshadowed early on, but he doesn't show up until the very end of the book.
3. By extension, to make an admirable effort. The notion is of one making an appearance as their best self (or their usual self, if a previous effort had been not up to standard). Way to show up, Dan. I'm really proud of the effort you put in this semester. The team has really shown up in this second half, coming back from a huge deficit.
4. To outperform or outclass someone; to make someone look unskilled or inadequate by comparison with one's effort or talent. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "show" and "up." I was quite proud of my performance, but the next act came out and completely showed me up. Tom is forever trying to show up the professor by pointing out flaws in his lectures.
show up on the dot
To arrive at the exact time specified. A: "I have an appointment with my academic advisor at 3 o'clock tomorrow." B: "Make sure you show up on the dot!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
show someone up
to make someone's faults or shortcomings apparent. John is always trying to show someone up to make himself look better. John's excellent effort really showed up Bill, who didn't try very hard at all.
show up
to appear; to arrive. Where is John? I hope he shows up soon. When will the bus show up? Weeds began to show up in the garden.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
show the way
Guide, as in This division has shown the way to bigger profits. This expression transfers the physical sense of guiding one in a particular direction. [Early 1500s] Also see lead the way.
show the white feather
Display cowardice, as in The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down. This expression comes from cockfighting, where a white feather in a bird's tail is considered a sign of inferior breeding. [Early 1800s]
show up
1. Be clearly visible, as in The print doesn't show up against this dark background. [Late 1800s]
2. Put in an appearance, arrive, as in I wonder if he'll show up at all. [Late 1800s]
3. Expose or reveal the true character of, as in This failure showed up their efforts as a waste of time. [Early 1800s]
4. Also, show someone up. Surpass someone in ability, outdo someone, as in John's high score on that math test really showed up the rest of the class. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
show the flag
(of a naval vessel) make an official visit to a foreign port, especially as a show of strength.show the white feather
appear cowardly. British datedA white feather in a game bird's tail was considered to be an indication of bad breeding.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
show the ˈway
do something first so that other people can follow: The future lies in changing the way we do business, and this Internet company is showing the way.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
show through
v.
To be visible or evident through something: Her slip shows through her dress. Your arrogance shows through despite your attempts to be friendly.
show up
v.
1. To be clearly visible: Will the blue pencil marks show up in the photocopy?
2. To make an appearance; arrive: Everyone was waiting for the bride to show up.
3. To expose or reveal the true character or nature of someone or something: The other group's success showed up their efforts as a waste of time. I showed the challenger up as a braggart.
4. To surpass someone or something, as in ability or intelligence: The students were always trying to show up the teacher with a fact she didn't know. After his performance, a virtuoso came out on stage and showed him up.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
show the white feather
To act like a coward.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.