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Synonyms

for show

Idioms  

  1. For the sake of appearances or display. For example, They put on a lavish buffet, mainly for show, or The police pretended to jail the informer, for show. [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yamamoto figured he was just going to the bullpen for show.

From Los Angeles Times

"There's no way I can't win a major, bigger Pro Tours, Europeans. Averages are just for show and if you play well on your darts and win matches you win tournaments. I'm going to get some."

From BBC

“I went guess your power. I have some of my own, too. Come, I want for show you this memory.”

From Literature

Cook is well aware that the guns carried by the federal agents are not for show, even without the Boss’ new ballad.

From Los Angeles Times

I flush the toilet, just for show, and head back to class.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.