show of hands

a show of hands

A visual representation of interest indicated by people raising their hands. Class, we'll decide what to do at recess by a show of hands. Who wants to play tag?
See also: hand, of, show
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

show of hands

a display of raised hands [in a group of people] that can be counted for the purpose of votes or surveys. We were asked to vote for the candidates for captain by a show of hands. Jack wanted us to vote on paper, not by a show of hands, so that we could have a secret ballot.
See also: hand, of, show
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

show of hands

An informal vote made by participants holding up one hand each to indicate a choice, as in Let's have a show of hands-how many want the next meeting on a Sunday? [Late 1700s]
See also: hand, of, show
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

show of hands

the raising of hands among a group of people to indicate a vote for or against something, with numbers typically being estimated rather than counted.
See also: hand, of, show
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a show of hands
  • put (one's) hands up
  • out of (one's) hands
  • out of hands
  • out of somebody's hands
  • out of your hands
  • wash (one's) hands
  • wash your hands
  • at the
  • have (one's) hands on (something)
References in periodicals archive
After a successful vote of no confidence against Adil Islam on 19th January district council elected new district Nazim Haripur for interim period unopposed where 44 members of house favoured Raja Amir Kiyani by the show of hand.
PHC issues stay order against District Nazim Haripur elections
Why then, after a show of hands to negotiate to leave the EU, are our negotiators not coming back to us and giving us the chance to accept or not what they have negotiated?
Stupidity not to vote again
The court observed that an earlier amendment to the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013, requiring a show of hands for election of the top-most posts had \\"no legal effect\\" as the change was made after the election schedule had already been announced in August last year.
SC orders to elect Karachi mayor through secret ballot
Show of Hands, featuring Steve Knightley and Phil Beer, have sold out the Royal Albert Hall four times and are triple winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (Best Duo, Best Original Song, Best Live Act).
GIG NEWS
Show of Hands, featuring Steve Knightey and Phil Beer, have sold out the Royal Albert Hall four times and are triple winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (Best Duo, Best Original Song, Best Live Act).
Award-winning acoustic duo Show of Hands top the bill at Kirkley Hall; Show of Hands are the main act at Kirkley Hall Music Festival while the next night you can enjoy Proms on the Lawn
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan on Tuesday welcomed the government's move to hold the forthcoming Senate elections through a show of hands to prevent horse-trading.
Imran, PPP welcome move to prevent horse-trading
A subsequent article, to raise $1.5 million for a roads stabilization account, passed overwhelmingly by a show of hands.
Meeting voters OK school override; $1.5M for roads also approved
QUICK show of hands: Who would have predicted that Paolo Di Canio and Ian Holloway would be the first two managers out of the door in the Premier League this season?
Ollie on the 'way out; ODDS & EVANS Tom Evans casts an eye on the world of sports betting Twitter: @TOMEVANSECHO
| SHOW OF HANDS: At the Kirkwood Hospice complementary therapies coffee morning are volunteer therapist Angie Lloyd-Martin, right, with Lisa Towey, left, and Hospice Capital Appeal Manager Marie Peacock (JH201012Ahospice-01)
Therapy boost
"Show of Hands: A Natural History of Sign Language" chronicles the history of sign language, and perhaps indirectly, the history of language as a whole.
The Language Studies Shelf
FROM the Andrew Marr Show to London's Royal Albert Hall, Britain's top acoustic duo Show Of Hands are proving an unstoppable force.
THE FABULOUS SHOW OF HANDS... THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF; Folk
[ClickPress, Mon Mar 07 2011] Bristol Folk Festival 2011 will feature over 40 folk acts that include heavyweights such as Rachel McShane, Fay Hield, Bellowhead and Show of Hands. One of the star attractions for the event will be the performances by Seth Lakeman who has achieved various accolades including being nominated for a Mercury Music prize.
DirectRooms.com -- The folk artists take to the stage in Bristol from 29 April to 1 May 2011
FOLK stars SHOW OF HANDS will be showcasing their two newest albums on Teesside tomorrow night.
Gotta hand it to 'em; Also playing: Show Of Hands
ACOUSTIC group Show of Hands are playing the only North West date of their Spires and Beams tour at Wigan Parish Church.
Church date for Show of Hands