View synonyms for grandstand play

grandstand play

noun

an ostentatious play, as in a sport, overemphasized deliberately to elicit applause from spectators.
any action or attempt designed to win approval or to make a strong impression:
His going to work on Christmas was another of his grandstand plays.

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Charles stood up, prudence and timidity washed away by a burning need to make up for his embarrassment with a grandstand play.

I made a grandstand play for others, but was turned down hard.

So leave me alone with your last big efforts—and grandstand play for glory.

You couldn't expect me to compete with a hero, who is making such a grandstand play as Morley.

They spent so much time in arguin' and makin' grandstand play, that the interests of the city were forgotten.

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