UNIT 6: GERUND + SHOW expressions/idioms

bridging the whatever gap

steal the show/scene

to be the most popular or the best part of an event or situation:

The child with the dog stole the show.

stop the show

not continue because of the applause/attention received by the audience

for show

Something that is for show has no practical value and is used only to improve the appearance of something else:

just/only for show Do the lights on this phone have any useful function or are they just/only for show?

good show

used as an expression of approval:

Good show chaps, you completed the course in the time allowed.

a show of hands

​a way of voting for or against something in which people raise their hands to vote

• The vote was passed by a show of hands.

put up a good show

do well

give the game away

to spoil a surprise or a joke by telling someone something that should have been kept secret:

It's a secret, so don't give the game away, will you?

→ give the show away

all over the place

in a lot of different places or in all parts of a place:

You can buy T-shirts like this all over the place.

informal not correct, regular, or well organized; changing a lot without reason:

His drumming was all over the place.

→ all over the show

get this show on road

infml to begin an activity that you have planned, esp. a trip:

If we’re going to be on time, we’d better get this show on the road.

on show

Something that is on show has been made available for the public to look at:

Her sculptures will be on show at the museum until the end of the month.

fly/show/wave the flag

to show support for the country, group, or organization that you belong to

show/teach someone the ropes

to show someone how to do a job or activity:

Lynn spent an afternoon showing the new girl the ropes.

show sb’s face

to appear somewhere when you are not expected to because you have done something bad:

how dare you show your face How dare you show your face in here after saying all those awful things!

show willing

be ready/happy to do something

a thing or two

some matters, facts, or information:

I'm having trouble paying attention - I have a thing or two on my mind.

→ show sb a thing or two

sb’s true colors

the kind of person someone really is rather than what the person seems to be:

I thought he was a really sweet guy, but then he got mad and showed his true colors.

→ show sb’s true colors

show sb a good time

take sbout somewhere to entertain them

show someone the door

to make it obvious that you do not want someone to be present and that they should leave:

When I told my bank that I wanted to borrow $100,000 they showed me the door.

show your hand/cards

1. ​to make your plans or intentions known:

Keep the names of the team secret - don't show your hand until the day of the game.

→ tip your hand