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]

Example Sentences

The star was also in a constant battle with stage fright—a startling admission for a larger-than-life performer with a reputation for spooky, unnerving antics.

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What used to fuel her stage fright, she says, was her belief that there was a right way and a wrong way to perform.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I have terrible stage fright and I am always worried about disappointing people.

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"I tried everything for my stage fright. I did this therapy and woke up the next morning like, 'Oh, it's over. I know it's over'."

Read more on BBC

Speaking with somebody that I’ve talked to many times helps ease the sort of stage fright there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times