■ verb ( past participle ~n or ~ed )
1》 be, allow, or cause to be visible.
↘exhibit or produce for inspection.
↘present (a film or television programme) on a screen for viewing.
↘represent or depict in art.
↘( ~ oneself or one's face ) allow oneself to be seen; appear in public.
↘(also ~ up ) informal arrive for an appointment or at a gathering.
2》 allow (a quality, emotion, or characteristic) to be perceived; display.
↘accord or treat someone with (a specified quality).
↘ informal (of a woman) be visibly pregnant.
3》 demonstrate or prove.
↘explain or demonstrate something to.
↘conduct or lead: ~ them in, please.
4》 N. Amer. finish third or in the first three in a race.
■ noun
1》 a spectacle or display.
2》 a play or other stage performance, especially a musical.
↘a light entertainment programme on television or radio.
↘an event or competition involving the public display of animals, plants, or products.
↘ informal an undertaking, project, or organization: I run the ~.
3》 an outward appearance or display of a quality or feeling.
↘(often in phr. for ~ ) an outward display intended to give a false impression.
↘a ludicrous spectacle: don't make a ~ of yourself.
4》 Medicine a discharge of blood and mucus from the vagina at the onset of labour or menstruation.
5》 US & Austral./NZ informal an opportunity or chance.
Phrases
all over the ~ another way of saying all over the place (see all ).
get the ~ on the road informal begin an undertaking or enterprise.
good (or bad or poor ) ~! Brit. informal, dated used to express approval (or disapproval or dissatisfaction).
have something (or nothing ) to ~ for have a (or no) visible result of (one's work or experience).
on ~ being exhibited.
~ cause Law produce satisfactory grounds for application of (or exemption from) a procedure or penalty.
~ (someone) a clean pair of heels informal run away from (someone) extremely fast.
~ someone the door dismiss or eject someone.
~ one's hand (or cards ) disclose one's plans.
~ of force a demonstration of the forces at one's command and of one's readiness to use them.
~ of hands a vote by the raising of hands.
~ one's teeth Brit. use one's power or authority in an aggressive or intimidating way.
~ willing Brit. display a willingness to help.
Phrasal verbs
~ something forth archaic exhibit something.
~ off informal boastfully display one's abilities or accomplishments.
~ something off display something that is a source of pride.
~ out Bridge reveal that one has no cards of a particular suit.
~ someone round (or chiefly N. Amer. around ) point out interesting features in a place or building to someone.
~ someone/thing up
1》 expose someone or something as being bad or faulty.
2》 ( ~ someone up ) informal embarrass or humiliate someone.
Origin
OE scēawian 'look at, inspect', from a W. Gmc base meaning 'look'.