Synonyms

in the limelight

Idioms

Also, in the spotlight. At the center of public attention or notoriety. For example, John loves being in the limelight, or The reporters made sure the attractive new actress would be in the spotlight. Both terms come from the theater and allude to focusing light on an important person, the first from a lighting device used from about 1840 on, the second from the early 1900s. Also see in the public eye; steal the show.

Example Sentences

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in the limelight

He’s been down in the basement doing press calls like this, he explains, undoubtedly a familiar routine after so many years in the limelight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

On Wednesday morning, the votes were still being counted, but Pratt looked likely to finish second—good enough for a runoff with Bass and a few more months in the limelight.

From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026

“My God, the Nazis knew how to put themselves in the limelight and present themselves,” said Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026

"The way you look aesthetically and fuelling as an athlete are two conflicting ideals. That's hard for anybody in the limelight."

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2025

In my dream the moon was full but it was green, bright green—I kept thinking, We’re in the limelight!

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

in the limelight

Example Sentences

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