show of hands

noun

1. an indication of approval, disapproval, volunteering, etc., on the part of a group of people, usually made by each assenting person raising a hand.

show of hands

noun

1. the raising of hands to indicate voting for or against a proposition

Word History and Origins

Origin of show of hands¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Idioms and Phrases

An informal vote made by participants holding up one hand each to indicate a choice, as in Let's have a show of hands—how many want the next meeting on a Sunday? [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

By a show of hands, Labour conference delegates rejected the first motion in favour of the second.

From BBC

Asked for a show of hands, about two-thirds of members in the hall at their conference in Bournemouth backed a debate on changing their position on ID cards.

From BBC

He asked for a show of hands: “Who’s here for the first time?”

From Los Angeles Times

Dutton described the show of hands as a "very confronting scene" while Albanese said he has brought inflation down, wages up and added that interest rates were starting to fall, according to ABC.

From BBC

So, let’s have a show of hands: How many readers who have children allowed them to sleep overnight someplace where all they had was a thin mat laid on a concrete floor, and the lights were left on all night?

From Salon

Related Words

• ballot 
• choice 
• majority 
• poll 
• referendum 
• tally