Cool MateBring out the Gimp vs Exhibit vs Reveal vs Show vs Unveil
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bring out the Gimp
SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Exhibit
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
Reveal
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Show
High-frequency chunkA1verb
Unveil
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: ExhibitMost common: Show
| Bring out the Gimp | Exhibit | Reveal | Show | Unveil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //brɪŋ aʊt ðə ɡɪmp//🇺🇸 //brɪŋ aʊt ðə ɡɪmp// | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈzɪbɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈzɪbɪt// | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈviːl//🇺🇸 //rɪˈviːl// | 🇬🇧 /["/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 publicly. | To show something that was hidden. | to let someone see something | to show something for the first time |
| Example | He decided to bring out the Gimp for the party. | The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts from Egypt. | The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. | 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 | Formal | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (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 | exhibit art, exhibit evidence, exhibit a collection | reveal a secret, reveal the truth, reveal information, reveal findings | 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, suppress | 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. | 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 'reveal' vs 'disclose'. 'Reveal' implies showing something hidden, while 'disclose' implies make known., Incorrectly using 'reveal' with an implied object. Must specify what is being revealed., Overusing in casual contexts where simpler words like 'show' may be more appropriate. | 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 'exhibit' in formal contexts like museums or academic presentations. It may sound too elaborate in casual conversations. | Use 'reveal' in contexts of uncovering information, secrets, or new insights. Suitable for both formal and informal situations. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Bring out the Gimp vs Exhibit vs Reveal vs Show vs Unveil
What's the difference between Bring out the Gimp, Exhibit, Reveal, Show, and Unveil?
Bring out the Gimp: To show someone or something that was hidden. Exhibit: To show something publicly. Reveal: To show something that was hidden. Show: to let someone see something Unveil: to show something for the first time
Which is more formal: Bring out the Gimp, Exhibit, Reveal, Show, and Unveil?
Exhibit is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Bring out the Gimp, Exhibit, Reveal, Show, and Unveil?
Show is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Bring out the Gimp, Exhibit, Reveal, 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. Exhibit: The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts from Egypt. Reveal: The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. 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, Exhibit, Reveal, Show, and Unveil interchangeably?
Not always. Bring out the Gimp, Exhibit, Reveal, 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.