show-down

A poker player reveals his hand during the final show-down.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A final confrontation or decisive test: "show-down" refers to a situation where opposing parties face each other to settle a dispute or reveal their true positions, often after a period of tension.
   • In card games (poker): In poker, a "show-down" is the moment when players reveal their cards to determine the winner of the hand.

Usage Examples

• Final confrontation:

  • The two leaders met for a show-down over the border dispute. (A decisive meeting to resolve a conflict.)
  • After months of argument, the union and management are heading for a show-down. (A final, critical confrontation is approaching.)

• Poker term:

  • At the show-down, he revealed a full house and won the pot. (The moment when cards are shown to decide the winner.)

Advanced Usage

• "to force a show-down": to deliberately create a situation where a confrontation becomes unavoidable.

  • The activist group forced a show-down with the government by occupying the building. (They compelled a decisive confrontation.)

• "the final show-down": the ultimate, climactic confrontation in a series of events.

  • The film ends with a dramatic final show-down between the hero and the villain. (The concluding decisive battle.)

Variants and Related Words

• Showdown (also spelled as one word): the same meaning; "show-down" is a less common hyphenated variant.
• Showdown (n): often used in contexts of competition or conflict.
  • The chess championship ended in a tense showdown. (A decisive final match.)

Synonyms

• Confrontation: a face-to-face meeting to resolve a disagreement.
• Clash: a violent or direct conflict.
• Decisive moment: a critical point where the outcome is determined.
• Revelation (in poker): the act of showing hidden cards.

Related Idioms

• "Show one's cards": to reveal one's true intentions or resources.

  • He refused to show his cards until the show-down. (He kept his plans secret until the final moment.)

• "Call someone's bluff": to force someone to prove their claims or intentions, often leading to a show-down.

  • When she called his bluff, it led to a show-down. (She challenged him to prove his threat.)