a show of hands
A visual representation of interest indicated by people raising their hands. Class, we'll decide what to do at recess by a show of hands. Who wants to play tag? A show of hands clearly indicated which soda the taste testers preferred. A: "No one wants to play kickball today?" B: "I guess not. I asked for a show of hands, and no one was interested."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
show of hands
a display of raised hands [in a group of people] that can be counted for the purpose of votes or surveys. We were asked to vote for the candidates for captain by a show of hands. Jack wanted us to vote on paper, not by a show of hands, so that we could have a secret ballot.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
show of hands
An informal vote made by participants holding up one hand each to indicate a choice, as in Let's have a show of hands-how many want the next meeting on a Sunday? [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a show of hands
COMMON If a question is decided by a show of hands, people vote on it by raising their hands to indicate whether they vote yes or no. Parliamentary leaders agreed to take all such decisions by a show of hands. Russell then asked for a show of hands concerning each of the targets.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
show of hands
the raising of hands among a group of people to indicate a vote for or against something, with numbers typically being estimated rather than counted.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a show of ˈhands
a method of voting in which each person shows their opinion by raising their hand: If you like, we can settle this debate with a show of hands.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017