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have to show for

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have something to show for something

to be the result of your effort She tried her best to make the business work, but now all she had to show for her effort was a huge debt.

See also: have, show

have to show for

Be able to exhibit as a result of one's work or expenditure. For example, I've been working all day and I have absolutely nothing to show for it, or He has some very fine paintings to show for the vast amount of money he's spent. This idiom was first recorded in 1727.

See also: have, show