ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make an exhibition of oneself

idiom
Meaning

To embarrass oneself or others in public by behaving foolishly.


Examples
SIMPLE

He drank too much and made an exhibition of himself.

CONTEXTUAL

She was so nervous at the party that she made an exhibition of herself by tripping over the rug.

COMPLEX

The young diplomat, unused to strong wine and formal occasions, made an exhibition of himself at the state dinner, and was quietly recalled the following week.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    adorn oneself with borrowed plumes

    To claim the honor of another for oneself.

  2. 02

    apply oneself

    Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.

  3. 03

    be oneself

    To behave or act naturally, without regard to how this behavior is perceived by others.

  4. 04

    bear oneself

    To behave and conduct oneself in a particular manner.

  5. 05

    box oneself into a corner

    To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.

  6. 06

    buy a dog and bark oneself

    To do something that one has hired someone else to do.

  7. 07

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  8. 08

    carry oneself

    To move, especially emphasizing the manner in which one moves.

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