be a/the model of (something)

To be an ideal example or version of something. Julie is the model of academic excellence, so she will definitely be this year's valedictorian. He's a model of agility. You won't find a more athletic guy. As a coach, you need to be a model of sportsmanship for your players.

floor model

A piece of equipment taken out of its packaging and displayed on the sales floor of a retail business. All they had left was the floor model of the washing machine we wanted, but they offered a $50 discount on it. Is the floor model plugged in? I'd like to see how the system works before buying it. I'm not thrilled about buying the floor model, so I think I'll just wait till it comes back in stock.

late model

Especially regarding an automobile, of a relatively recent design or model. After I got my promotion, I decided to trade in my clunky old Volkswagen for a snazzy, late model sedan.

model (oneself or something) on (someone or something else)

To use something or someone as the basis, inspiration, or example for how something or oneself should be. They're modeling the experimental plan on similar systems already being used to great effect in Norway and Sweden. I've always tried to model myself on Albert Einstein in how I organize my life and work.

model (oneself) after (someone)

To use someone as the basis, inspiration, or example for how one should be. I've always tried to model myself after Albert Einstein in how I organize my life and work. Your grandmother was the kindest, gentlest person I've ever known. You should always strive to model yourself after her.

model (someone or something) in (something)

To create a model figure of some person or thing in a given substance or medium. The artist models various characters from literature, film, and pop culture in scrap metal he collects from the junkyard at the edge of town. We'll model you with clay, and then use that model to create the statue.

model (something) after (something else)

To use something as the template or model for the way in which something else is created or developed. The mayor's ambitious social security plan is modeled after a similar system already in place in Sweden. You can model your lesson plans after ones from previous teachers.

model (something) on (something else)

pinup model

A young, sexually attractive person, usually a woman, whose image is prominently displayed or featured in large photographs or fold-out pages of magazines that are suitable to hang up on a wall. Sometimes hyphenated as "pin-up model." The actress started out as a pinup model for numerous magazines before pivoting to film roles in the '80s. Did you see Cynthia's new boyfriend? He looks like a pin-up model!

role model

1. noun A person whose behavior, critical thinking, decisions, etc., is held up as an ideal example for one to emulate. The athlete has striven to serve as a role model to the young people in his community who look up to him.

2. verb To demonstrate the correct behavior, critical thinking, decisions, etc., for someone else to emulate. As a parent, it's extremely important to role model the ways we want our children to handle negative emotions. You're the leader of this company. If you're not role modeling the right kind of behavior in the office, then who will?

model someone on someone

and model something on something

to use something as a pattern for something; to use someone as a pattern for someone. I will model my house on the house we saw in the Mediterranean. She tried to model herself on her mother.

model something in something

to make a model of something in a particular substance. She modeled the figure in clay. I modeled a bear in modeling clay.

model on

To form, develop, or found something on the basis of something else: The architect modeled the plans for the new school on a beautiful old building.

role model

An individual whose behavior serves as an exemplar to others. This expression, dating from the second half of the 1900s, alludes to acting out parts in a theatrical production. It appeared in the New York Times Magazine (June 26, 1977): “If the teacher was a ‘role model’ parents were obviously unaware of it.”