amateur night
Americannoun
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an entertainment featuring amateur performers, often in competition for prizes.
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Informal. an example of or situation marked by flagrant ineptitude.
Critics say it's been amateur night at the embassy since the new ambassador took over.
Etymology
Origin of amateur night
First recorded in 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The next week, Harvey himself stepped up to the mic for the first time, won amateur night and cried the entire ride home.
From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2022
She eventually turned a flirtation with one of her customers, who worked at the Apollo, into a slot for the Ronettes at its legendary amateur night.
From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2019
There’s more to stand-up in Harlem than the long-running amateur night at the Apollo Theater, as this celebration aims to demonstrate in the coming week at places such as Under Bar and the Chipped Cup.
From New York Times • Sep. 19, 2019
Graham heard him sing at an amateur night performance and took him under his wing.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2019
Then as a one-man band he competed with others at a movie house on amateur night.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
