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John Millen

'It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities' - JK Rowling, British author
Show me around!
 'To show' means 'to demonstrate' or 'to illustrate'. But adding a small word, such as 'off', changes the meaning. What do these phrasal verbs and phrases mean?
1 to show somebody up
a to embarrass someone
b to be very generous to someone who doesn't  deserve it
2 to show off
a to behave in a childish way
b to boast about your abilities or what you own
3 to run the show
a to be in charge of an event
b to perform in front of an audience
4 to put on a good show
a to organise something very well
b to plan something that is a disaster
5 to show somebody around 
a to chase someone
b to take someone around a place where they have not been before
Show nouns
What is ...?
1 a show of hands
 a a vote in which people raise a hand to demonstrate their support 
b the noise people make with their hands at the end of a concert
2 a show flat
a a new apartment that has been decorated and filled with furniture to show possible buyers how nice it can be
b the top flat in a block
3 a chat show
a a film that has subtitles 
b a TV or radio show where famous people are interviewed about what they do
4 a trade show
a a TV show that is very popular
b an event in which companies show off their products
Which show?
Complete these sentences by choosing the correct words in brackets.
1 Now that you've heard all the facts, may we have (a trade show/a show of hands) for the first option?
2 She bought that expensive car only (to show around/to show off) to the rest of us.
3 There was a lot of interest from potential car buyers at last week's (chat show/trade show).
4 When will the (chat show/show flat) be open for viewing?
5 We will (put on a good show/show and tell)  for Dad's  party.
6 Don't ask me! I haven't a clue! I'm not (running the show/showing someone around).
Show phrases
Match each phrase to its definition, and complete the definition by choosing the correct word in brackets. 
1 The show must go on.
2 He stole the show.
3 That will show you.
4 I have nothing to show for it.
5 Can you show me the ropes? 
6 What he did shows him in his true colours.
a I put in (a lot of effort/no effort at all), but finished with nothing. 
b He was the (worst/best) part of the event. 
c We have to (continue/stop) what we are doing even though we don't want to.
d Can you show me how (to avoid/to do) this new activity?
e That was not (an expensive/a pleasant) experience, but you will have learned something from it. 
f What he did to his brother shows (what he is really like/how much he earns).
Answers: 
Show me around: 1. a, 2. b, 3. a, 4. a, 5. b
Show nouns: 1. a, 2. a, 3. b, 4. b
Which show: 1. a show of hands, 2. to show off, 3. trade show, 4. show flat, 5. put on a good show, 6. running the show
Show phrases: 1. c (continue), 2. b (best), 3. e (pleasant), 4. a (a lot of effort ), 5. d (to do), 6. f (what he is really like)



A show of hands