a show of hands
noun phrase
: an occurrence in which people put a hand in the air to indicate that they want something, agree with something, etc.
Let me see a show of hands: how many people want a piece of cake?
Examples of a show of hands in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If more than 10 minutes, indicate a desire to speak (by a show of hands).
—
Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
After an evening of difficulties with the electronic voting system, the convention suspended its rules and voted by a show of hands.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
In a show of hands, the class overwhelmingly indicated that the decision was final.
—Shayne Fitz-Coy, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The audience here seemed to be among those enthusiastic adopters, to judge from the reaction to Web Summit emcee Casey Lau asking for a show of hands about who was on which social platform.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
Along with the question about impartiality, the judge is also asking each group of prospective jurors for a show of hands from anyone who has work, family or other obligations that will prevent them from serving.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Simeone lost his cool with the media in a post-match press conference and asked for a show of hands from those that had seen Alvarez touch the ball twice.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
When the traffic engineers hired by the city asked for a show of hands from people who support the proposal, not one hand went up.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The founder of Changing Lanes, a charismatic veteran named Delbert, asked for a show of hands: How many people definitely wanted to do long-haul trucking?
—Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
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Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
After an evening of difficulties with the electronic voting system, the convention suspended its rules and voted by a show of hands.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
In a show of hands, the class overwhelmingly indicated that the decision was final.
—Shayne Fitz-Coy, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The audience here seemed to be among those enthusiastic adopters, to judge from the reaction to Web Summit emcee Casey Lau asking for a show of hands about who was on which social platform.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
Along with the question about impartiality, the judge is also asking each group of prospective jurors for a show of hands from anyone who has work, family or other obligations that will prevent them from serving.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Simeone lost his cool with the media in a post-match press conference and asked for a show of hands from those that had seen Alvarez touch the ball twice.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
When the traffic engineers hired by the city asked for a show of hands from people who support the proposal, not one hand went up.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The founder of Changing Lanes, a charismatic veteran named Delbert, asked for a show of hands: How many people definitely wanted to do long-haul trucking?
—Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“A show of hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20show%20of%20hands. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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