Dialogue：

A: I don't like John.

我不喜欢约翰。

B: Why?

为什么？

A: Whenever he recites in class, he seems to be playing to the gallery.

每当他在班上背书时，他总是表现出一副故意卖弄的样子。

词海拾贝

play to the gallery

exp. To perform in a manner that will get the strong approval of the audience. （故意卖弄，哗众取宠，讨好观众）

e.g. She's a great basketball player, but she spends more time playing to the gallery than playing to win the game.

她是一个很棒的篮球运动员，但是她花在哗众取宠的时间比她花在赢得比赛上的时间还要多。

e.g. When he made the rude remark, he was just playing to the gallery.

当他发表那些粗鲁的言辞的时候，只是为了哗众取宠。