have to show for

Idioms

Be able to exhibit as a result of one's work or expenditure. For example, I've been working all day and I have absolutely nothing to show for it, or He has some very fine paintings to show for the vast amount of money he's spent. This idiom was first recorded in 1727.

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.

See Examples For:

have to show for

It depends what they have to show for it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

“The heaviest hands have been representing this area before me, and what did they have to show for it? Nothing,” she responded as we made our way down to the lake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

It would be futile to change the manager so let him stay until the end of the season and see what we have to show for his efforts.

From BBC ● Jan. 4, 2025

“What do we have to show for it? Nothing,” Smith said of the money spent by city leaders.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2023

And now we’re about to graduate, and all I have to show for it is the saddest crush of the century.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

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