stage whisper

American  

noun

1. a loud whisper on a stage, meant to be heard by the audience.

2. any whisper loud enough to be overheard.

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stage whisper British  

noun

1. a loud whisper from one actor to another onstage intended to be heard by the audience

2. any loud whisper that is intended to be overheard

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stage whisper Idioms  

1. A whisper loud enough to be overheard, as in Our three-year-old behaved beautifully at the ceremony, but then he asked in a stage whisper, “Why does that lady have blue hair?” This expression alludes to an actor's whisper on stage, which is meant to be heard by the audience. [Mid-1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of stage whisper

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

And she said” — his voice dropped to a stage whisper — “‘He’s going to be very big.’”

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2022

They are always in the room, a few feet away from the powerful, always within stage whisper range.

From Washington Post • Jun. 28, 2022

Obviously, don’t stage whisper “Is that all right with you?” to your hard-up friend every time your posse drifts towards a potential spot.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2019

Maul also took advantage of a particularly Tinseltown-esque fringe benefit: Universal Studios Hollywood employees can take free acting classes only a stage whisper away from the famous Universal Studios back lot.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2018

Then she leaned over to Chrissie and said in a stage whisper: “That’s always the best way when Kathy’s in a mood. Leave her alone and she’ll walk it off.”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro