make an exhibition of oneself

make an exhibition of (oneself)

To do something that makes one the center of attention, and perhaps makes one look foolish. Please try not to make an exhibition of yourself at the gala. Just read your prepared lines. Vicky is always making an exhibition of herself in the cafeteria by singing along to whatever is playing in her headphones.See also: exhibition, make, of

make an exhibition of oneself

Show off or otherwise embarrass oneself in public, as in When Mike has too much to drink he's apt to make an exhibition of himself. The first recorded use of this term was in Charles Dickens's A Child's History of England (1853). See also: exhibition, make, of