Cool MateBring out the Gimp vs Display vs Exhibit vs Show vs Unveil
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bring out the Gimp
SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Display
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Exhibit
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
Show
High-frequency chunkA1verb
Unveil
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: Exhibit
| Bring out the Gimp | Display | Exhibit | Show | Unveil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //brɪŋ aʊt ðə ɡɪmp//🇺🇸 //brɪŋ aʊt ðə ɡɪmp// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈzɪbɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈzɪbɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌʌnˈveɪl/","/ˌʌnˈveɪlz/","/ˌʌnˈveɪld/","/ˌʌnˈveɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌʌnˈveɪl/","/ˌʌnˈveɪlz/","/ˌʌnˈveɪld/","/ˌʌnˈveɪlɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To show someone or something that was hidden. | To show something so that people can see it. | To show something publicly. | to let someone see something | to show something for the first time |
| Example | He decided to bring out the Gimp for the party. | Please display the results on the screen for everyone to see. | The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts from Egypt. | Can you show me how to solve this math problem? | The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the hospital. |
| Register | Slang | Neutral | Formal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | High-frequency chunk | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | B2 | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | bring out the best, bring out a reaction, bring out the truth | clearly, prominently, proudly, to | exhibit art, exhibit evidence, exhibit a collection | clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, hardly, begin to, let something, hardly, begin to, let something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something | formally, officially, just, formally, officially, just |
| Antonyms | - | conceal, hide, obscure | conceal, hide, suppress | hide, conceal, cover | cover, conceal, hide |
| Common mistakes | Misunderstood as a neutral or formal phrase., Used in serious situations where humor is not appropriate., Confused with other phrases that don't carry the same meaning. | Saying 'displayed for me' instead of 'displayed to me'., Using 'display' as a noun when a verb is required., Confused with 'exhibit' which has a more formal tone. | Confused with 'display' - 'display' is more common in everyday usage., Using 'exhibit' when referring to personal belongings - it's typically for art or science displays., Using 'exhibited' instead of 'exhibited' in past contexts. | Confused with 'exhibit' in formal contexts, Using incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb, Confusing the past tense 'showed' with 'shown' | Incorrectly using 'unveil' without an object, e.g., saying 'I will unveil' instead of 'I will unveil the product.', Confusing 'unveil' with 'reveal' — both are similar but 'unveil' often refers to public ceremonies., Using 'unveil' for revealing everyday items, which might sound too formal. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used in informal contexts, sometimes humorously. It may not be appropriate in formal conversations due to its slang nature. | Use 'display' in contexts involving showing information or items. It's appropriate for both written and spoken communication. Avoid in very informal situations where simpler words like 'show' may be preferred. | Use 'exhibit' in formal contexts like museums or academic presentations. It may sound too elaborate in casual conversations. | Use 'show' when presenting something to someone. Avoid in very formal contexts; instead, use 'demonstrate'. Common in everyday conversation. | Use 'unveil' when revealing new ideas or products. Common in formal contexts like announcements or presentations. Avoid in casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Bring out the Gimp vs Display vs Exhibit vs Show vs Unveil
What's the difference between Bring out the Gimp, Display, Exhibit, Show, and Unveil?
Bring out the Gimp: To show someone or something that was hidden. Display: To show something so that people can see it. Exhibit: To show something publicly. Show: to let someone see something Unveil: to show something for the first time
Which is more formal: Bring out the Gimp, Display, Exhibit, Show, and Unveil?
Exhibit is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Bring out the Gimp, Display, Exhibit, Show, and Unveil?
Unveil is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Bring out the Gimp: He decided to bring out the Gimp for the party. Display: Please display the results on the screen for everyone to see. Exhibit: The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts from Egypt. Show: Can you show me how to solve this math problem? Unveil: The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the hospital.
Can I use Bring out the Gimp, Display, Exhibit, Show, and Unveil interchangeably?
Not always. Bring out the Gimp, Display, Exhibit, Show, and Unveil are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.