show off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Display something to impress others
Why “off”? Words or impressions come off a source and reach other people.
“He's showing off his new car.”
“She's showing off her medals.”
Don't confuse with
Show off means display something to impress others. Show out means politely escort someone to the exit.
Test yourself
“He's showing off his new car.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
show out
A contrast learners often mix up
Politely escort someone to the exit
bite off
Same off pattern: release
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Take on more than you can handle ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
come off
Same off pattern: release
Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
read off
Same off pattern: release
Read aloud from a list or screen
reel off
Same off pattern: release
Recite a long list quickly and easily from memory
sound off
Same off pattern: release
Express opinions loudly and at length, especially complaints
tell off
Same off pattern: release
Speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong
show around
Same base verb: show
Take someone through a place to see it; Take someone on a tour of a place
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