show off

show off

1. verb To act or perform in a conspicuously ostentatious or showy manner in order to gain the attention of others. Our son always likes to show off when we have guests over. Yes, we know you're a good dribbler, but you don't have to show off so much during the game.
2. verb To display a person, thing, or ability of which one is very proud, perhaps as a means of seeking attention. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "show" and "off." The couple has been going around to friends and family members showing off their new baby girl. I've lost a lot of weight over the winter, and I'm looking forward to showing my new body off at the beach this summer. My dad never misses an opportunity to show off his skills on the piano.
3. noun Someone who acts or performs in a conspicuously ostentatious or showy manner in order to gain the attention of others. As a noun, the phrase is usually hyphenated or spelled as one word. Our son becomes a bit of a showoff when we have guests over. Yes, we know you're a good dribbler, but don't be such a showoff during the game.
See also: off, show
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

show someone or something off

to display someone or something so that the best features are apparent. Bill drove around all afternoon showing his new car off. Mrs. Williams was showing off her baby to the neighbors.
See also: off, show

show off

to do things in a way that is meant to attract attention. Please stop showing off! You embarrass me. John is always showing off to his girlfriend.
See also: off, show
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

show off

Display in an ostentatious, conspicuous way; also, seek attention by displaying one's accomplishments, abilities, or possessions. For example, I'm wearing shorts to show off my Florida tan, or Karen loved showing off her new baby to her friends, or There's no need to show off, Fred; we all know you're a good dancer. [Early 1800s]
See also: off, show
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

show off

v.
1. To display one's ability, beauty, or status in a showy way, so as to attract attention and impress others: The students were doing handstands to show off for the coaches.
2. To display some possession or attribute in a showy way, so as to attract attention and impress others: I wore tight clothing to show off my figure. They are very wealthy, and they show it off with expensive cars.
See also: off, show
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • parade by
  • style
  • styling
  • parade in front of
  • parade in front of (someone or something)
  • make (a) great play of (something)
  • make great play of something
  • make great, much, etc. play of/with something
  • make (a) big play of (something)
  • hot dog
References in periodicals archive
"We called it Show Off to provoke the thinking that opening a museum is a show off," Ramin Salsali, founder of SPM, told Gulf News.
New museum opens its doors for art connoisseurs
She said: "The homecraft section is a great opportunity for people to show off their creative side.
Come and compete with creative skills; KENILWORTH SHOW: Homecraft entries will be seen by thousands
Posh, 30, took the oppurtunity to show off the gem when she made her first public appearance since the birth of third son Cruz five weeks ago.
RADAR: POSH'S pounds 1m ROCK
"But it's all in a good cause and gives me a chance to show off my legs."
A brighter spell for weatherman
Our long-haired musical director, Doug Katsaros, was Berger in the Broadway revival of Hair, so he had me show off with a bit of the floaty soprano line from the Hare Krishna section of the `be-in.' At the piano I gave my thirty-two bars of "Hit Me with a Hot Note" that showed off my entire range in no time with high Flipper tones at the end.
How I got Footloose
It will show off the new Traversanip 720 [degrees] oscillating hauloff, a low-profile die (40 in.
Extrusion
The sunshine US break gave Lewis the chance to show off his back tatt and his more recent right arm inking, which features a heart and musical notes.
PS60m LEWIS GETS ANOTHER BIG RISE
Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Lily Collins and Taylor Swift definitely learned to show off their assets from fashion moguls, Emma Watson, Kristen Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence.
Cleavage Bearing Celebrities: From Selena Gomez to Lily Collins [PHOTOS]
The Korean electronics manufacturer will show off high-resolution displays ranging from a mere 4.7-inches up to 84-inch behemoths.
LG to show off new high-resolution display tech at CES 2013
Long-sleeved dress, pounds 65, Topshop Apple shapes can show off slender arms and legs while hiding a big tummy under this drop waist dress.
Cute in candy; Lemon yellow, pastel pink, baby blue.. lighten up in this season's sweetest trend. By Dinah Turner
YOUNGSTERS will be dancing to an African beat as they show off their creative skills in Gateshead.
Showing off skills
Children at the Early Birds nursery in Harborough Magna were proud to show off their handiwork to villagers during an Easter bonnet parade.
Hats off to Easter chicks
Having just touched down in England, Thomas couldn't wait to show off her tan and her cleavage in the holiday snaps.
Imogen Thomas flaunts tanned cleavage in Twitter pics after Barcelona trip
From the trailer, the case, titled "The Set-Up", seems to revolve around a fixed boxing match, government-issued morphine, and police corruption. While it doesn't show off any actual gameplay, the trailer does show off a number of the game's strongest pulls, including its eerily lifelike character models and its Hollywood-grade narrative.
Rockstar Releases Third Trailer For L.A. Noire (VIDEO)
And the Ugly Betty and Extras star chose a clinging black dress to show off her baby bump.
Nice to bump into you, Ashley