for show
idiom
1
: intended to be seen but not used or bought
We're not supposed to eat the fruit on the table. It's just for show.
2
disapproving
: done in order to gain the approval or favor of others
He says he enjoys classical music, but it's only for show.
Examples of for show in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But many of these show-stopping displays are just for show, or marketed to businesses that can spend tens of thousands of dollars on them.
—
Chandra Steele, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
For many Southern families, stockings aren’t just for show.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
As for rubbing knives together, that’s purely for show.
—David Hochman, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
However, at the end of the fight, both competitors showed good sportsmanship so all of the weird beef was probably just for show.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for for show 
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Chandra Steele, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
For many Southern families, stockings aren’t just for show.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
As for rubbing knives together, that’s purely for show.
—David Hochman, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
However, at the end of the fight, both competitors showed good sportsmanship so all of the weird beef was probably just for show.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for for show
Dictionary Entries Near for show
Cite this Entry
“For show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20show. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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