show and tell

noun

1. an activity for young children, especially in school, in which each participant produces an object of unusual interest and tells something about it.
2. Facetious. any informative presentation or demonstration, as to introduce a new product or divulge and explain a special plan.

Other Words From

• show-and-tell adjective
• show-and-teller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of show and tell¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Idioms and Phrases

A public presentation or display, as in It was a terrible bore, what with their show and tell of every last detail about their trip around the world . This expression originated in the 1940s to describe a learning exercise for young children, in which each child in a group brings some object to show the others and talks about it.

Example Sentences

“From a tactical level, the psyop mission is extremely hard to show and tell,” said Lt.

From Seattle Times

For years, the volume — a 19th-century French treatise on the human soul — was brought out for show and tell, and sometimes, according to library lore, used to haze new employees.

From New York Times

But Biden’s recovery ultimately requires show and tell.

From Los Angeles Times

But I will not allow people to come on my show and tell blatant lies if I am in that position.

From Los Angeles Times

But I will not allow people to come on my show and tell blatant lies.

From Los Angeles Times