strut your stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strut your stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used as an idiom to suggest that someone should display their skills, talents, or knowledge in an impressive or confident manner. For example: "The job interview is coming up next week. You have to be prepared to strut your stuff and show them why you're the perfect fit for the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Let's see you strut your stuff".

The New York Times

Wrapped, rubbed and sucked, you're now ready to strut your stuff on Jurmala beach.

The Guardian - Travel

To strut your stuff at one of the world's wildest parties on snow: Gay Ski Week 19-266 January; www.gayskiweek.com).com

The Guardian - Travel

If you "strut your stuff," as another poster outside Mr. Damaschke's office instructs, you become vulnerable when movies misfire, as they inevitably do.

The New York Times

And heaven forfend if your star happens to be the show, especially when you may not have the stamina to strut your stuff eight times a week.

The Guardian

Mr Abel's tip: strut your stuff on Sundays, when the gullible, junior reporters are on duty.To some, pranking is a bit like drugs good fun when you're young, but not something respectable adults do.

The Economist

You can't pretend to strut your stuff as Europe and at the same time slash defense budgets to the point that, a couple of months into a military operation, you find yourself running out of jet fuel and munitions.

The New York Times

"You dance up on a stage in your bra and knickers and try to get the men to beckon you to their table, where you strut your stuff for £5 a dance.

The Guardian

Come to TechCrunch Hackathon at VivaTech and strut your stuff.

TechCrunch

Get your ticket and come strut your stuff at the TechCrunch Hackathon at VivaTech in Paris on May 25-26.

TechCrunch

The point is that you can still grind away and strut your stuff with a video game.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strut your stuff" when you want to encourage someone to confidently display their skills or talents, especially in a performance or competitive context.

Common error

While "strut your stuff" is a vivid idiom, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive or informal. Prefer more neutral terms if you are in formal setting.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strut your stuff" is as an idiomatic expression used to encourage or invite someone to display their talents or skills confidently. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this idiom is commonly found in various forms of media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

37%

Huffington Post

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "strut your stuff" is a commonly used phrase that encourages someone to confidently display their talents or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as on wikis. While versatile, it's generally considered informal, making it less appropriate for formal academic or scientific writing. When aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives such as "demonstrate your capabilities" or "showcase your talents" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show off your talents

This alternative focuses on displaying inherent abilities, emphasizing skill and aptitude. This is less idiomatic than the query.

flaunt your abilities

This implies a more ostentatious or boastful display of skills, which may be seen as less modest than the query.

demonstrate your capabilities

This suggests a more formal and direct presentation of one's skills, often in a professional setting.

put your skills on display

This emphasizes the act of showcasing abilities, often in a context where they are meant to be observed and appreciated.

unleash your potential

This focuses on the untapped possibilities within a person, suggesting a powerful and transformative display of capabilities. Less direct than the query.

show what you're made of

This phrase implies a challenging situation where one must prove their worth or resilience.

give it your best shot

This indicates an attempt to succeed, emphasizing effort and determination rather than inherent ability. Less about showing off and more about trying hard.

perform your best

This is a general encouragement to excel in a given situation, focusing on the quality of performance.

excel in your performance

This means performing an action very well. The emphasis is not on displaying qualities, but on performing them at best.

make a statement

This implies expressing something clearly. Less emphasis is put on skills or abilities than on the impact one has.

FAQs

How can I use "strut your stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "strut your stuff" to encourage someone to show their talents confidently, as in, "The competition is tomorrow, so get ready to strut your stuff!"

What does it mean to "strut your stuff"?

"Strut your stuff" means to display your skills or talents in a confident and impressive way. It often implies showing off a bit.

What are some alternatives to "strut your stuff"?

You can use alternatives like "show off your talents", "demonstrate your capabilities", or "flaunt your abilities".

Is "strut your stuff" appropriate for formal writing?

While "strut your stuff" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. For formal writing, opt for phrases like "demonstrate your abilities" or "showcase your talents".