ENGLISH
REFERENCE

show someone the door

idiom
Meaning

To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.


Examples
SIMPLE

He was rude, so I showed him the door.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager decided to show the door to the employee who kept arriving late to work.

COMPLEX

After the guest repeatedly insulted the host, the security team politely but firmly showed him the door.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    bang down the door

    To present oneself as a strong candidate for a role or achievement, explicitly or implicitly.

  3. 03

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  4. 04

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  5. 05

    blow the doors off

    To be much more important or impressive than.

  6. 06

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  7. 07

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

Last updated April 17, 2026