put on a show

Meaning

Literally, to organize or perform an entertainment piece for an audience. Figuratively, it can mean to behave in a false, dramatic, or exaggerated way to impress, deceive, or hide one's true feelings.

Examples

• The local high school students put on a show to raise money for charity.

  The local high school students put on a show to raise money for charity.

• He isn't actually happy; he's just putting on a show for his boss.

  He isn't actually happy; he's just putting on a show for his boss.

• The rock band put on an incredible show that lasted for over three hours.

  The rock band put on an incredible show that lasted for over three hours.

• Don't put on a show for me; just tell me what you really think.

  Don't put on a show for me; just tell me what you really think.

• They put on a show every weekend at the community theater.

  They put on a show every weekend at the community theater.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They made a show last night.

  ✓ They put on a show last night.

  We do not use the verb 'make' with 'show' in this context. The correct collocation is 'put on'.

• ✗ She put on a show to her friends.

  ✓ She put on a show for her friends.

  The preposition used to indicate the audience of the performance or pretense is 'for', not 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The street performers really know how to ___ for the tourists.

  💡 To perform or entertain.

  Show answer

  put on a show

• Stop ___ and be honest about how you feel.

  💡 Pretending or acting for others (continuous form).

  Show answer

  putting on a show