put in an appearance
put in an appearance
To visit or appear at some place or event for a brief amount of time, especially as a courtesy or for the sake of politeness. We really should put in an appearance at my cousin's party—it would be pretty rude not to while we're in town like this. The movie visited the hospital when a young fan dying of leukemia asked her to put in an appearance.
See also: appearance, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put in an appearance (at something)
to appear briefly at some place or at some event. I only wanted to put in an appearance at the reception, but I ended up staying for two hours. Do we have to stay a long time, or can we just put in an appearance?
See also: appearance, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
put in an appearance
Also, make an appearance. Be present, especially for a short time, as in We were hoping the rock star would put in an appearance, but she didn't show up, or She was tired and didn't want to go to the party, but decided she had to make an appearance. [Second half of 1600s]
See also: appearance, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
put in an appearance
To attend a social engagement, especially for a short time.
See also: appearance, put
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- make an appearance
- not a spark of decency
- basic decency
- decency
- common decency
- do (one) the courtesy of (doing something)
- do somebody the courtesy of doing something
- have the courtesy to (do something)
- have the courtesy to do something
- courtesy of (someone or something)