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

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

It’s what you have to show for it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2024

“It is the one thing I will have to show for dedicating my life to games. And somebody decided that was just fair game.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2023

She worked from before dawn until well after dark, and what did she have to show for it?

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

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