Amazingly, Jason survived the collision with a lorry with only a broken arm to show for it.

It means that the broken arm (and nothing worse) was evidence that he had been in the accident.

Hmmm, so more or less we could rephrase the sentence:

Amazingly, Jason survived the collision with a lorry with only a broken arm to show for it.

As follows:

Amazingly, Jason survived the collision with a lorry with only a broken arm as evidence of it.

Do I get you right?

It doesn't suit very well in this context for me, either.

If you only have something to show for something, it implies that you should have more.
eg Tom only has a third-class degree to show for his years of studying. He should have a better degree.

To me. your sentence sounds like Jason should have more severe injuries, which is obvio

CliveTo me. your sentence sounds like Jason should have more severe injuries, which is obviously not the intended meaning..

Well, I think it might be the intended meaning:) If you have a collision with a lorry, then you are expected to have more injuries than a broken arm...
The question is what is the actual meaning of this sentence, especially the meanin

I was trying to explain that the idiom usually means it would be better if you had more extreme results from the experience. . eg It would be better if Jason had more severe injures. This is not what the writer of your sentence means. He means that Jason was lucky not to have had more severe injuries to show for it (or as evidence of the accident)..

Now I see what you meant and of course I agree that the author didn't mean that.

Let me sum up if I got you right:
- The phrase "to show for it", as an idiom, means that it would be better if you had more extreme results from the experience.
- The phrase "to show for it", taken more literally rather than idiomatically, means that something can be shown as evidence.
Is this dis

Let me sum up if I got you right:
- The phrase "to show for it", as an idiom, means that it would be better if you had more extreme results from the experience.
No.
xxxx to show for it refers to the result you have.
only xxxx to show for it suggests you

Thanks Clive! Now I think it is clear.

I found more examples of this idiomatic meaning:
She tried her best to make the business work, but now all she had to show for her effort was a huge debt.
I've been working all day and I have absolutely nothing to show for it.
And admittedly they don't literally contain the word 'only', but as you said t

ReegisWell, I think it might be the intended meaning:) If you have a collision with a lorry, then you are expected to have more injuries than a broken arm...

I do too.
I interpret it as comic relief. Jason escaped being killed.