Showboating

Showboating is the act of performing ostentatiously, often to draw attention to oneself or to impress others. It typically involves excessive displays of skill, bravado, or confidence, sometimes perceived as boastful or excessive. While potentially entertaining, showboating often prioritizes personal aggrandizement over teamwork or genuine achievement. It can be seen in various contexts, from sports and entertainment to professional environments, where individuals might exaggerate their abilities or engage in flamboyant gestures to capture attention. The behavior aims at emphasizing individual superiority, though often backfires with team members and other spectators. It can detract from the overall quality and purpose of a team endeavor or public display.

Showboating meaning with examples

• During the basketball game, the star player engaged in excessive showboating, performing unnecessary dribbling tricks and celebrating after every basket, even when his team was already leading by a significant margin. This drew criticism from the coach and frustrated his teammates, as it disrupted their focus and teamwork and almost lost the game.
• The guitarist’s performance was largely showboating. While he possessed undeniable talent, his frequent and elaborate solos, extended stage presence, and self-congratulatory gestures overshadowed the other band members and diminished the musical experience for the audience. Everyone felt it was a performance for him rather than for the music.
• In the boardroom meeting, the ambitious executive's presentation felt like a prolonged session of showboating. She peppered her speech with complex jargon, used overly dramatic visuals, and frequently interrupted colleagues to highlight her own brilliance and made others look bad as a way of promoting her own career.
• The new driver was accused of showboating after executing a series of dangerous maneuvers during the race. His reckless driving, designed to impress the crowd, nearly caused several accidents and compromised the safety of other drivers and spectators, and even led to his removal from the race by officials.