show off
proudly show something you are proud of to impress others
What does "show (sth) off" mean?
Examples
- She showed off her new engagement ring to everyone at the party.
- He showed his trophy off to every single person who walked into the room.
- They were showing off their dance moves on the stage.
How to use it
The most common pattern — use this when displaying a specific thing, skill, or achievement.
She showed off her new apartment to all her colleagues.
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle — never after 'off'.
He bought a new watch and couldn't wait to show it off.
Short noun phrases can also go between the verb and particle, which is a natural and common alternative to placing them after 'off'.
She showed her painting off to everyone in the class.
The passive form is natural when the focus is on the thing being displayed rather than the person displaying it.
The latest smartphone designs were shown off at the technology conference.
Use 'to' to name the audience — the people you want to impress or inform.
They showed off their dance routine to the rest of the group.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'show' and 'off', not after 'off'. Putting it after 'off' is ungrammatical in English.
When 'show off' has a direct object (a specific thing being displayed), it means to display something proudly. Without an object, it describes someone behaving in an attention-seeking way, which often sounds like mild criticism. Make sure you include an object when you want to talk about displaying a specific thing.
'Show up' means to arrive somewhere, or to make someone look bad by comparison — it does not mean to display something proudly. Use 'show off' when someone is proudly presenting a specific thing.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral to informal and works well in both spoken and written English. It can describe proud display of objects or abilities, but when used without an object ('He's always showing off'), it often sounds mildly critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'show off' always sound like the person is being arrogant or boastful?
Not when it has a direct object. 'She showed off her new car' is generally neutral or positive — it simply means she displayed it proudly. The more critical tone comes when 'show off' is used without an object, like 'He's always showing off', which implies someone is seeking attention in an annoying way.
What kinds of things can you 'show off'?
You can show off almost anything you're proud of — physical objects like a new phone, car, or ring, as well as abilities like skills, talents, or knowledge. It also works well for achievements, artworks, designs, and collections. The key is that there's a specific thing being proudly displayed.
Can 'show off' be used in the passive?
Yes, the passive is natural and quite common. It works especially well when describing something being exhibited or presented at an event. For example: 'The new designs were shown off at the fashion show.' Use the passive when you want to focus on the thing being displayed rather than on who is displaying it.
Is 'show off' used differently in British and American English?
No, there are no significant differences between British and American English with this phrasal verb. It is widely understood and used in both varieties with the same meaning and grammar.
Can I use 'show off' in formal writing, like a report or email?
It's best to avoid it in formal or academic writing, where something like 'display' or 'demonstrate' would sound more appropriate. However, 'show off' is fine in everyday writing, social media, and casual emails, and it also appears in marketing language when talking about product features.
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