stage fright

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noun

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of stage fright

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby stage fright

stage-dive, stage door, stage-door Johnny, stage-driver, stage effect, stage fright, stagehand, stage left, stage-manage, stage manager, stage pocket

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stage fright in a sentence

A combination of propriety and vomit-inducing stage fright has always kept her from going public with the virtuosic guitar chops she learned by emulating folkie heroes like Don McLean.
Peacock's All-Girl Muslim Punk Band Comedy We Are Lady Parts Is a Rockin' Good Time|Judy Berman|June 2, 2021|Time
Initially, she continued wearing the mask to cover her stage fright as she performed in front of thousands of people.
The Piano Is Her Weapon of Change in Saudi Arabia|Charu Kasturi|April 30, 2021|Ozy
He talks to Gordon Marino about reliving his darkest moments—and how he faced down his stage fright.
Mike Tyson Takes the Stage in a Vegas One-Man Show|Gordon Marino|April 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
First, she had to overcome her stage fright to go head-to-head with the big boys.
Dana Loesch: On Twitter, the Tea Party, and Her Rise in Media|Tricia Romano|March 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Howard Kurtz talks to Russert about stage fright, weight loss and his critics.
The Education of Luke Russert|Howard Kurtz|December 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
For Mutomobo, playing basketball in front of 30,000 people was a shock, and he often had stage fright.
The Seven Foot Philanthropist|Sandra McElwaine|June 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This is called stage-fright, and it is never cured; it has ruined more brilliant careers than the critics have.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
Perhaps it was stage fright; my voice broke badly, and the audience, especially the men, were not kind.
Tiger Cat|David H. Keller
An extreme example of this form of nervousness is offered by the unfortunate sufferer from stage fright.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
Stage fright, an extreme form of nervousness, sometimes deprives the sufferer entirely of the power of speech.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
As in Chicago, she was seized with stage fright as the very first entrance of the ballet approached, but later she recovered.
Sister Carrie|Theodore Dreiser

British Dictionary definitions for stage fright

stage fright

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with stage fright

stage fright

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]

stage fright

Origin of stage fright

Words nearby stage fright

Words related to stage fright

How to use stage fright in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stage fright

Other Idioms and Phrases with stage fright