a show of hands
noun phrase
: an occurrence in which people put a hand in the air to indicate that they want something, agree with something, etc.
Let me see a show of hands: how many people want a piece of cake?
Examples of a show of hands in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Along with the question about impartiality, the judge is also asking each group of prospective jurors for a show of hands from anyone who has work, family or other obligations that will prevent them from serving.
—
Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Simeone lost his cool with the media in a post-match press conference and asked for a show of hands from those that had seen Alvarez touch the ball twice.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
When the traffic engineers hired by the city asked for a show of hands from people who support the proposal, not one hand went up.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Knight gathered the kids and surveyed by a show of hands how many of them liked their coach.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
The founder of Changing Lanes, a charismatic veteran named Delbert, asked for a show of hands: How many people definitely wanted to do long-haul trucking?
—Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
Applause wasn’t enough to distinguish the two, but a show of hands suggested the audience skewed towards Glinda.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
The vibes: Nearly everyone in attendance has already voted, according to a show of hands requested by Trump.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
By a show of hands, about three quarters of the room accurately guessed that the photo with the oddly blank background was a fake.
—Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
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Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Simeone lost his cool with the media in a post-match press conference and asked for a show of hands from those that had seen Alvarez touch the ball twice.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
When the traffic engineers hired by the city asked for a show of hands from people who support the proposal, not one hand went up.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Knight gathered the kids and surveyed by a show of hands how many of them liked their coach.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
The founder of Changing Lanes, a charismatic veteran named Delbert, asked for a show of hands: How many people definitely wanted to do long-haul trucking?
—Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
Applause wasn’t enough to distinguish the two, but a show of hands suggested the audience skewed towards Glinda.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
The vibes: Nearly everyone in attendance has already voted, according to a show of hands requested by Trump.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
By a show of hands, about three quarters of the room accurately guessed that the photo with the oddly blank background was a fake.
—Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“A show of hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20show%20of%20hands. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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