dog and pony show
noun
: an often elaborate public relations or sales presentation
also
: an elaborate or overblown affair or event
Examples of dog and pony show in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Trump is the only president to make his dog and pony show an everyday reality of doing business in America.
—
Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Both serve as examples of the tremendous amount of time, energy and money spent on everything from architectural renderings to press conferences and assorted dog and pony shows the past several years.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
His job is to manage their rehab, transform their body, and train these athlete on how to conduct themselves during the dog and pony show the NFL puts prospects through at the combine, using tests like a 40-yard dash, a broad jump, the L-drill and 3-cone run to measure pure athleticism.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Neither is a dog and pony show aimed at convincing voters that the president is up for the job despite his age.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 July 2024
Yet, in the view of some, this is a dog and pony show, and Sundance just really wants to get the state of Utah to put up more money for the festival to stay.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 June 2024
Hollywood is literally singing for its supper, and ad tiers have found their way into every major streamer — two of them, Amazon and Netflix, participating in this dog and pony show for the very first time.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024
Still, not prospect is invited to Vegas along with hockey’s elite for the NHL’s dog and pony show.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
This dog and pony show three months later is a cynical move, implying that those who make such decisions don’t believe Alabama or Auburn fans will show up for a basketball game if there’s no football connection.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 13 Feb. 2020
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Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Both serve as examples of the tremendous amount of time, energy and money spent on everything from architectural renderings to press conferences and assorted dog and pony shows the past several years.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
His job is to manage their rehab, transform their body, and train these athlete on how to conduct themselves during the dog and pony show the NFL puts prospects through at the combine, using tests like a 40-yard dash, a broad jump, the L-drill and 3-cone run to measure pure athleticism.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Neither is a dog and pony show aimed at convincing voters that the president is up for the job despite his age.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 July 2024
Yet, in the view of some, this is a dog and pony show, and Sundance just really wants to get the state of Utah to put up more money for the festival to stay.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 June 2024
Hollywood is literally singing for its supper, and ad tiers have found their way into every major streamer — two of them, Amazon and Netflix, participating in this dog and pony show for the very first time.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024
Still, not prospect is invited to Vegas along with hockey’s elite for the NHL’s dog and pony show.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
This dog and pony show three months later is a cynical move, implying that those who make such decisions don’t believe Alabama or Auburn fans will show up for a basketball game if there’s no football connection.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 13 Feb. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Dog and pony show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog%20and%20pony%20show. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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