stage fright

noun

1. nervousness felt by a performer or speaker when appearing before an audience.

stage fright

noun

1. nervousness or panic that may beset a person about to appear in front of an audience

Word History and Origins

Origin of stage fright¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

Acute nervousness when performing or speaking before an audience, as in When John first had to present his findings to the board of directors, stage fright made him stutter. [Second half of 1800s]