show-out

See also: show out

English

Noun

show-out (plural show-outs)

1. A surreptitious signal made by an informer to the police contact, indicating that it is safe to approach.
   • 2007, Paul Willetts, North Soho 999: A True Story of Gun-crime in 1940s London, page 101:

     On entering the venue, the detective had to avoid approaching or acknowledging whoever he was meeting. First, the detective had to wait for the 'show out'. This consisted of a brief nod, signalling that there was nobody around who might blow the informer's cover.

References

• Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor (2015) The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, page 2006

Anagrams

• outshow