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show of hands

noun

an indication of approval, disapproval, volunteering, etc., on the part of a group of people, usually made by each assenting person raising a hand.

show of hands

noun

the raising of hands to indicate voting for or against a proposition

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Word History and Origins

Origin of show of hands¹

First recorded in 1740–50

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Idioms and Phrases

An informal vote made by participants holding up one hand each to indicate a choice, as in Let's have a show of hands—how many want the next meeting on a Sunday? [Late 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dutton described the show of hands as a "very confronting scene" while Albanese said he has brought inflation down, wages up and added that interest rates were starting to fall, according to ABC.

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So, let’s have a show of hands: How many readers who have children allowed them to sleep overnight someplace where all they had was a thin mat laid on a concrete floor, and the lights were left on all night?

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A resolution to approve Reform UK’s new constitution was passed by a show of hands at the party’s conference in Birmingham.

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“Colonel, we asked for a show of hands, and we’ve decided not to take that hill.”

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All of the candidates, in a show of hands, said they believed Trump was the rightful winner of Georgia’s 16 electoral votes in 2020, despite no reliable evidence to contradict Democrat Joe Biden’s win.

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Related Words

ballot��
choice��
majority��
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show-off show one's colors

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