Meaning & use
show of hands
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Meaning
nounsingular
A way of voting or measuring opinion in which people lift a hand to show they agree or answer yes.
Grammar: Used with an or the: take a show of hands, not a shows of hands.
Patterns
- by a show of hands
- ask for a show of hands
- a show of hands on something
The chairman asked for a show of hands to see who wanted to move the meeting to Friday.
The motion passed by a show of hands, so nobody needed to count paper ballots.
Before I start, a show of hands please: who here has used this software before?
Common combinations
- vote by a show of hands
- The club voted by a show of hands to buy new uniforms.
- ask for a show of hands
- The teacher asked for a show of hands before moving on to the next topic.
- count a show of hands
- The secretary counted the show of hands twice because the result was so close.
- a clear show of hands
- There was a clear show of hands in favor of the plan.
- decide with a show of hands
- We decided the lunch venue with a show of hands.
Synonyms and how they differ
- poll
- A poll is a broader word for gathering opinions and may be written, online or by phone, whereas a show of hands is always done in person and in the open.
- ballot
- A ballot is usually secret and written, so it protects privacy, while a show of hands lets everyone see how you voted.
- vote
- Vote is the general word for any choice made by a group, while a show of hands names one specific, visible method of voting.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: show of hands or show of force?
show of hands vs show of force
A show of force is a display of power or strength meant to impress or threaten, not a vote.
Practice
The committee could not agree, so the chairman decided to settle it with a ____.
Choose one answer.
A show of hands is the fixed phrase for voting by raising hands. The other options reverse or change the words and are not used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “show of hands”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.