make an exhibition of oneself: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘make an exhibition of oneself’ mean?
The idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" means to embarrass or humiliate oneself through foolish or inappropriate behavior in public.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "show off" means to behave in a way that draws attention to oneself in order to impress others or make them envious.
The idiom "put on the dog" means to dress or act in an extremely fancy or extravagant manner, often to show off or impress others.
The idiom "put on the dog" is a phrase of American origin that means to dress or behave in an extravagant or showy manner.
Meaning: To say or do something embarrassing, foolish or inappropriate inadvertently.
The idiom "put oneself across" means to successfully communicate or convey one's ideas, thoughts, or opinions to others in a persuasive or effective manner.
The idiom "put on airs" means to act in a proud or pretentious manner, often to make oneself appear more important or superior than others.
The idiom "put on airs" refers to someone behaving in a pretentious or affected manner, often in an attempt to appear more important or superior than they actually are. This idiom can also be used to describe someone who is being overly proud, arrogant, or haughty.
The idiom "proud as a peacock" means feeling a deep sense of self-importance or satisfaction about oneself or one's achievements. It is often used to describe someone who is excessively proud, arrogant, or boastful.
The idiom "poop oneself" means to be very scared or frightened, often to the point of losing control of one's bodily functions. It is an informal expression used to describe extreme fear or anxiety.
The idiom "play up" means to emphasize or highlight something, often in order to gain attention or elicit a certain reaction. It can also refer to exaggerating or overplaying a situation or a person's abilities.
The idiom "play to the gallery" means to behave or perform in a way that is intended to gain the favor, support, or applause of the audience or the general public, often without regard for substance or sincerity.
The idiom "play the fool" means to act silly or foolish, often for amusement or as a way to hide one's true thoughts or intentions.
The idiom "play the fool" is a common phrase used in the English language. It is often used to describe someone who acts foolishly or pretends to be ignorant or naive in a particular situation. The phrase can be traced back to the early 16th century and has remained in popular usage ever since.
Flaunting Follies
The idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" is often used in the English language to describe behavior that attracts negative attention or causes embarrassment. It refers to someone who is behaving in a loud, attention-seeking, or inappropriate manner, drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. This idiom can be found in various forms of literature such as books, newspapers, and online articles, and is commonly used in informal conversations.
Although the exact origin of this idiom is uncertain, it is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. The phrase "make an exhibition of oneself" draws on the concept of an exhibition, which is a public display or show of something. By using this idiom, it suggests that the person in question is making a public spectacle of themselves, similar to an exhibition would.
This idiom is often employed to criticize someone's behavior or express disapproval of their actions. It conveys the idea that the person is acting in a self-centered or attention-seeking manner without considering the impact of their behavior on others. For example, if someone loudly boasts about their achievements at a social gathering, they may be said to be making an exhibition of themselves. Similarly, individuals who engage in attention-seeking behavior or draw unnecessary attention to themselves can also be described using this idiom.
It is important to note that the idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" should not be confused with other idioms that have similar meanings. While the phrase "make a spectacle of oneself" has a close connotation, it is not identical. The use of the word "spectacle" suggests a more visual aspect, emphasizing the public display of the person's behavior.
Overall, the idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" is widely recognized and used to criticize attention-seeking or inappropriate behavior. Its origins may be uncertain, but its usage is prevalent in everyday language and literature. By understanding the meaning and usage of this idiom, individuals can effectively communicate their disapproval of someone's actions.
The idiom "make a show of oneself" is another common phrase used in the English language. It is closely related to the idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" and also refers to behavior that attracts negative attention or causes embarrassment. This idiom is often used to describe someone who is behaving in a manner that is showy, ostentatious, or attention-seeking.
Similar to the idiom "make an exhibition of oneself," the idiom "make a show of oneself" conveys the idea that the person in question is drawing unnecessary attention to themselves through their behavior. This can manifest in various ways, such as someone showing off their possessions, skills, or achievements in an overly exaggerated or boastful manner.
The idiom "make a show of oneself" is commonly used in informal conversations and can be found in literature, including books, newspapers, and online articles. It is a way to criticize someone's showy or attention-seeking behavior, highlighting their self-centeredness and lack of consideration for others.
For example, if someone wears flashy and extravagant clothing to an event in an attempt to stand out and gain attention, they may be said to be making a show of themselves. Similarly, individuals who constantly seek validation and praise through their actions or try to be the center of attention in social situations can also be described using this idiom.
It is important to note that the idiom "make a show of oneself" is similar in meaning to "make an exhibition of oneself," but it places more emphasis on the showiness and attention-seeking aspect of the person's behavior. Both idioms convey disapproval and criticism of the person's actions.
The idioms "make an exhibition of oneself" and "make a show of oneself" are closely related and are used to describe behavior that attracts negative attention or causes embarrassment. They highlight the self-centered and attention-seeking nature of the person's actions, emphasizing their lack of consideration for others. By understanding the meanings and usage of these idioms, individuals can effectively communicate their disapproval of attention-seeking or inappropriate behavior.
The idiom "make a spectacle of oneself" is another commonly used phrase in the English language. It is closely related to the idioms "make an exhibition of oneself" and "make a show of oneself." Like the other two idioms, it refers to behavior that attracts negative attention or causes embarrassment.
The use of the word "spectacle" in this idiom emphasizes the visual aspect of the person's behavior, suggesting a more overt public display. When someone "makes a spectacle of oneself," they are drawing attention to themselves through their behavior in a way that is showy, dramatic, or attention-seeking.
This idiom is commonly found in informal conversations and can be seen in various forms of literature, including books, newspapers, and online articles. It is used to criticize someone's behavior and highlight their lack of consideration for others by making a public display of themselves.
For example, if someone acts outlandishly or exaggeratedly in a social setting, attracting attention and causing embarrassment, they can be said to be making a spectacle of themselves. Similarly, individuals who engage in attention-seeking behavior or deliberately draw unnecessary attention to themselves may also be described using this idiom.
It is important to note that the idiom "make a spectacle of oneself" shares a similar meaning with the idioms "make an exhibition of oneself" and "make a show of oneself," but the emphasis is on the visual aspect of the person's behavior. All three idioms convey disapproval of attention-seeking or inappropriate behavior.
The idiom "make a spectacle of oneself" is closely related to the idioms "make an exhibition of oneself" and "make a show of oneself." It refers to behavior that attracts negative attention or causes embarrassment, with an emphasis on the visual aspect of the person's actions. By understanding the meanings and usage of these idioms, individuals can effectively communicate their disapproval of attention-seeking or inappropriate behavior.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "make an exhibition of oneself" can be used in a sentence:
- She made an exhibition of herself by singing loudly and out of tune at the karaoke bar.
- He made an exhibition of himself by tripping and spilling his drink all over the dance floor.
- They made an exhibition of themselves by arguing loudly in public and causing a scene.
More "Embarrassment" idioms
