have something to show for

Idioms

see have to show for.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If lawmakers want to rebuild public trust—and have something to show for this legislative term—they would be wise to move this bill forward.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

The home side had been turning the screw in the minutes leading up to their goal and now they have something to show for it.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

The panel was undoubtedly facing pressure to have something to show for its work before Monday, the one-year anniversary of the audio scandal.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2023

Miami bet big last summer with a $90 million sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry and a $184 million extension for Butler, and it must have something to show for those investments.

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2022

Thinking of her website sitting dead and empty, I add: We should write about our wanderings so we have something to show for them besides pictures.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023