What are the definitions of “show off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Behave in a way so as to attract attention.
The children were SHOWING OFF and irritated me.
- 2Display something you are proud of.
He wanted to SHOW OFF his new sound system.
- 3Make the qualities of another thing more apparent.
The shirt really SHOWED OFF his new tie.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “show off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb show off is to behave in a way that attracts attention or to display something you are proud of. People often show off their skills, possessions, or achievements to impress others.
What are the different verb forms of “show off”?
| Root Verb | show off |
| Third Person Singular Present | shows off |
| Present Participle | showing off |
| Simple Past | showed off |
| Past Participle | shown off |
Example
She always shows off her cooking skills at parties.
Example
He shows off his new car to everyone he meets.
Example
The athlete is showing off his strength by lifting heavy weights.
Example
They showed off their dance moves at the talent show.
Example
She had shown off her new dress at the party last night.
What kind of phrasal verb is “show off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“show off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
He showed off his new sound system.
Example
The shirt really showed off his new tie.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“show off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
He showed off his new sound system.
Example
The shirt really showed off his new tie.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “show off”?
Good things to know
Does “show off” have an informal or formal tone?
Show off is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. However, in some situations, it may be more appropriate to use a synonym like 'display' or 'demonstrate' to convey a more formal tone.
