Idiomatic To exhibit the best attributes of something.
Grocery stores show off their produce by placing the most attractive specimens in front.
2
Idiomatic To attract attention to for the purpose of bragging or personal exhibitionism; to demonstrate a skill, talent or property for the purpose of bragging or personal exhibitionism.
She loves to show off her driving prowess.
She loves to show off when she gets behind the wheel of a car.
3 more examples
“Listen, my Oscar,” she said, resuming at once her tender voice, “you have a propensity to talk, and to tell all you know, and all that you don’t know; and you do it to show off, with the foolish vanity of a mere lad.[…]”a. 1897, Katharine Prescott Wormeley, transl., A Start in Life, translation of Un début dans la vie by Honoré de Balzac:
If you've just acquired a Google Glass headset for £1,000, don't show it off at the movies. UK cinemas are to ban the headsets over fears that the gadgets can be used to make pirate copies of Hollywood blockbusters.2014 June 29, Adam Sherwin, “UK cinemas ban Google glasses over piracy risk”, in The Independent:
She told the press that the group had been for an evening out and that the driver has been showing off by driving fast.2022 September 7, “Network News: High-speed car crash blocks Tube Line”, in RAIL, number 965, page 23:
One who shows off; a person given to egotistically demonstrating their prowess or ability.
Quit being such a show-off, before someone gets hurt.
“Don’t tell me what to do, you double-crossing little show-off!” he grated. “Here, stand aside there, and let a man pass.”1959, Roger Barlow, Stormy Voyage, New York: Simon and Schuster:
2 more examples
He was still a tad disgruntled about being used as a work-horse, but he allowed this feeling to be repressed in favor of the pomp and circumstance of the parade. He was, after all, a bit of a show-off when he could get away with it. And that is a real understatement!2003, Robert J. Evans, Chris Dulabone, Abducted to Oz:
Totally obsessive fans are a good measure of a ride’s popularity, but they’re kind of a pain in the ass, too. They lipsynch the soundtrack, cadge souvenirs and pester you with smarmy, show-off questions.2003, Cory Doctorow, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Tor Books: