phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

show off

to brag or display proudly

What it means

To try to impress others by displaying your abilities, possessions, or appearance in an obvious way. It usually carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting the person is being boastful.

Examples

  • He's always showing off his new car to anyone who'll look.
  • Stop showing off and just play the game normally.
  • She showed off her engagement ring to the whole office.
  • The kids love to show off their dance moves at family parties.

Where it comes from

The noun 'show-off' (hyphenated) describes a person who behaves this way. Informal but extremely common; the verb is usually intransitive when about behaviour, transitive when about objects.

Related phrasal verbs

#look down on#dress up#speak up#stand by

🧩 Think you know your phrasal verbs?

Take the Phrasal Verbs Test — 20 terms, instant result, no signup.

Take the test

Built by the team behind Deep In.