Show off means to try to impress people with what you have or can do, or to display something proudly. Without an object, it describes behaviour: He's just showing off. With an object, it names what someone is proud of: “show off a new car”. The noun “a show-off” means a person who likes to impress others like this.
Want to use show off in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
show off; show off + noun; show something/it off; a show-off (noun)
- Max always shows off at the gym by lifting weights that are clearly too heavy for him.
- She invited us round mainly to show off her newly renovated kitchen.
- My cousin is a bit of a show-off and posts photos of every expensive dinner.
What changed
First versionMike keeps boasting with his new watch at every meeting.
RevisionMike keeps showing off his new watch at every meeting.
“Boast” does not go with “with”: you “boast about” something. Besides, “boast” means to praise yourself in words, while Mike is actually displaying his watch. Displaying something to impress people is “show off”, and the thing comes right after the phrase, with no preposition.
“Show off” also has a neutral meaning: to make something look its best. The white walls show off the paintings beautifully, meaning the paintings look great against the white walls. Nobody is boasting here; something is simply seen in its best light.
Your turn
At lunch, Dan ordered in French just to ___ in front of his new colleagues.
Show the answer
show off — Dan orders in French not because he needs to, but to impress his colleagues. That wish to impress is “show off”. “Show up” means to arrive or appear, and Dan is already sitting at the table.
Describe someone you know who likes to show off. Say what they like to show off and how people around them react.
My neighbour shows off his electric car to every guest, and most of us just nod politely.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.