make a show

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a show" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as an imperative (command) to indicate that someone should do something in a dramatic or showy manner. Example: "Let's make a show of our solidarity and wear the same color to the rally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now make a show.

The Guardian

The candidates make a show of disemboweling one another.

The New York Times

We don't make a show of how fertile we are.

Independent

Other times, they make a show of it.

The New York Times

"To make a show, you need drama," he said.

The New Yorker

They pick up props and make a show.

The New York Times - Arts

If you're not, you don't have to make a show".

The New York Times - Sports

Want to make a show that engenders respect and sympathy for the armed forces without complications?

The New York Times - Arts

There's nothing, I think, more important that guides how you make a show.

The New York Times - Arts

"I guess they were just trying to make a show," she said.

The New York Times

A few ideas: Make a show for people who have not reproduced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a show" when you want to convey the idea of creating a performance or public display, whether literally or figuratively. It can refer to staging an actual show or demonstrating something in a noticeable way.

Common error

Avoid using "make a show" only in the literal sense of creating a stage production. It can also describe an action done for dramatic effect, such as "make a show of resistance" or "make a show of force."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a show" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of creating or staging a performance, production, or display. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing both literal shows and figurative displays of actions or emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a show" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe creating a performance or display. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, as the high number of examples from news media, wikis, and other sources demonstrate. When using "make a show", consider whether you're referring to a literal production or a figurative demonstration. Alternatives like ""put on a performance"" or "create a production" might be more precise depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on a performance

Focuses on the act of performing, emphasizing the staged aspect.

create a production

Highlights the creation and development of a show or event.

stage an event

Emphasizes the act of organizing and presenting a specific event.

put on an act

Suggests pretense or insincerity in the performance.

present a spectacle

Implies a grand and visually impressive display.

give a demonstration

Focuses on showcasing skills or abilities in a public setting.

orchestrate a display

Suggests careful planning and arrangement of the show.

roll out a presentation

More formal, implies delivering planned information.

fabricate a scene

Suggests inventing or contriving a situation.

devise a spectacle

Highlights inventing or designing a visual display.

FAQs

How can I use "make a show" in a sentence?

You can use "make a show" to describe the act of creating a theatrical performance or to describe an action that is done for dramatic effect. For example, "They decided to "put on a performance" to raise money" or "He wanted to "make a display" of defiance against the new rules".

What's the difference between "make a show" and "put on a show"?

"Make a show" and "put on a show" are very similar. "Put on a show" is often used more specifically to refer to staging a performance, while "make a show" can also imply creating a display or demonstration of something.

What can I say instead of "make a show" to indicate creating a performance?

Alternatives to "make a show" when referring to a performance include "create a production", "stage an event", or ""put on a performance"".

When is it appropriate to use "make a show of" something?

Use "make a show of" when someone is intentionally doing something to be noticed by others. For example, if someone is trying to impress others with their knowledge, you might say they "make a spectacle of knowing the answer."