show of hands

American  

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.

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show of hands British  

noun

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

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show of hands Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of show of hands

First recorded in 1740–50

Related Words

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