show and tell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “show and tell” mean?
A primary school activity where a child brings an item to class and talks about it to the other students.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A primary school activity where a child brings an item to class and talks about it to the other students.
Any situation or presentation where someone demonstrates something and explains it, often in a way that reveals personal information or is overly simplistic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The activity is equally common and identically named in both educational systems. However, extended metaphorical use may be slightly more frequent in American media and business jargon.
Connotations
In both, the core meaning is neutral/positive (childhood, learning). The extended use can imply something is unsophisticated, overly personal, or lacking in rigorous analysis.
Frequency
High frequency in contexts discussing primary education; medium frequency in metaphorical/colloquial use.
Grammar
How to Use “show and tell” in a Sentence
[Subject] did a show and tell about [Topic/Item].It turned into a show and tell for [Beneficiary].Let's not make this a show and tell.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “show and tell” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The children will show and tell their favourite toys.
- He's always showing and telling about his holiday photos.
American English
- The team will show and tell their prototype at the meeting.
- She loves to show and tell her collection of vintage stamps.
adjective
British English
- It was a typical show-and-tell session for Year 3.
- His explanation had a show-and-tell quality to it.
American English
- We have a show-and-tell format for the weekly update.
- She gave a show-and-tell presentation to the board.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used pejoratively to criticize a presentation that is more about personal anecdote or surface-level demonstration than hard data or strategy. 'The sales pitch was just a show and tell of client testimonials with no actionable plan.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing. May be used in educational research or pedagogy to describe the specific activity.
Everyday
Common when discussing children's school activities or humorously describing an adult's overly simple demonstration. 'My dad did a show and tell about his new lawnmower at the family BBQ.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts unless metaphorically critiquing a non-rigorous approach.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “show and tell”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “show and tell”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “show and tell”
- Using it as a verb without the article ('We will show and tell our project' is incorrect; 'We will do a show and tell on our project' is correct).
- Reversing the words to 'tell and show'.
- Using it in formal writing where 'presentation' or 'demonstration' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a three-word compound noun. It is often hyphenated when used attributively (before a noun), as in 'a show-and-tell session'.
Yes, but the phrase is often used metaphorically. In professional settings, it can describe a simple demonstration or, critically, a presentation that lacks substantive analysis.
'Show and tell' specifically implies a combination of visual demonstration and personal narrative, often with a simple or introductory purpose. A 'presentation' is a broader, more neutral term for any formal talk.
Yes, but it is informal and derived from the noun. It means to demonstrate something while explaining it, e.g., 'She showed and told us how the engine works.' It is less common than the noun form.
A primary school activity where a child brings an item to class and talks about it to the other students.
Show and tell is usually neutral to informal in register.
Show and tell: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃəʊ ən ˈtel/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃoʊ ən ˈtel/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not show and tell. (Implies a situation requires action or substance, not just presentation.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the order: First you SHOW the object (visual), AND then you TELL about it (verbal).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS DEMONSTRATION, KNOWLEDGE SHARING IS A PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'show and tell' MOST likely to be used critically?