flashy but impractical moves; something superficially attractive but useless
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
flowery but impractical martial arts moves
informalOriginally used in the context of martial arts or acrobatics to describe moves that look impressive but lack real combat effectiveness.
The kung fu set he practices is all flashy moves; he's useless once he steps into the ring.
This martial arts performance is nice to watch, but many of the moves are just for show.
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Don't be fooled by his fancy moves; they're just for show and have little offensive power.
noun
something superficially attractive but useless; formalism; show without substance
informalA common metaphor used to criticize things, plans, or behaviors that are all about appearance but lack practical value or substance.
This management method is just a showpiece; it can't solve real problems.
Our company doesn't want those superficial things; we want practical doers who can create value.
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Work should focus on practical results, not on superficial articles or putting up a show.
The new website design has a beautiful interface, but functionally it's just a facade with poor user experience.