show willing
English
Verb
show willing
- To show enthusiasm and energy
- 1897 Frank T. Bullen, The Cruise of the "Cachalot"; round the world after sperm whales Chapter 1:
- On board ship, especially American ships, the first requisite for a sailor who wants to be treated properly is to "show willing," any suspicion of slackness being noted immediately, and the backward one marked accordingly.
- 1920 B. Bennion, The trout are rising in England and South Africa; a book for slippered ease (William Clowes & Sons, London) p.4:
- It sang a song as it went, it "showed willing," as the homely saying goes. It was companionable, full of life; had its little ways.
- 1995 "Keane shows willing" The Independent on Sunday (London) 27 August 1995:
- But Roy Keane loves a battle and yesterday led the Old Trafford kids to an educational victory that brought a told-you-so grin from their manager Alex Ferguson.
- 1897 Frank T. Bullen, The Cruise of the "Cachalot"; round the world after sperm whales Chapter 1:
- To make a valiant effort
- 1935 W.H. White, A complete physics written for London medical students and general use, (Clay & Sons, London) §91 p.61:
- No top or gyroscope has actually been balanced perfectly enough to guide an astronomical telescope, but they show willing.
- 2010 "Spirit of nation must be revived" Sunday Independent (Dublin) 31 October 2010:
- Brian Lenihan said recently that we must stick to the four-year deadline -- for now -- and maybe after a couple of years of showing willing, we could re-negotiate.
- 1935 W.H. White, A complete physics written for London medical students and general use, (Clay & Sons, London) §91 p.61:
- To indicate one's willingness; to acquiesce, co-operate
- 2005 Irma Kurtz, "Moving on: a slave to nicotine" Times Online (London) 21 May 2005:
- The moment he shows willing to try again buy patches or other nicotine replacement products recommended by your pharmacist
- 2006 Gareth Dale, The East German revolution of 1989 (Manchester University Press) →ISBN p.151:
- The government, fearing that another front was about to be opened, quickly showed willing to compromise, and declared an amnesty
- 2005 Irma Kurtz, "Moving on: a slave to nicotine" Times Online (London) 21 May 2005:
- To pretend to be willing; to bluff
- 1962 Andrew Boyle Trenchard (Collins) p.227:
- He had not been bluffing or merely "showing willing."
- 2011 Rowena Mason "BP 'in bits' worth up to £90bn more" Daily Telegraph, London, 27 July 2011:
- It is not yet clear whether Mr Dudley and his team are seriously considering a break-up or merely showing willing to placate investors clamouring for more value.
- 1962 Andrew Boyle Trenchard (Collins) p.227:
Synonyms
- (show enthusiasm): look lively
- (pretend to be willing): pay lip service; make an idle promise