stage-manage
Americanverb (used with object)
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to work as a stage manager for.
When he wasn't acting, he stage-managed a repertory theater.
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to arrange or stage in order to produce a theatrical or spectacular effect.
The clients were most impressed with the way she stage-managed the whole presentation.
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to arrange or direct unobtrusively or in secret.
He stage-managed Mediterranean black-market operations from his secluded villa on the Riviera.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to work as stage manager for (a play, etc)
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(tr) to arrange, present, or supervise from behind the scenes
to stage-manage a campaign
Etymology
Origin of stage-manage
First recorded in 1875–80; back formation from stage manager
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.
“This motley crew try so hard to stage-manage this moment together because they love her so much and want her to succeed, and it’s just so sweet,” explained Marshall.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2023
But an outburst at a news conference Tuesday showed the country is struggling to stage-manage the global event and keep the lid on domestic controversies.
From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2022
Paul Hourican denies that spontaneity has been replaced with major labels using the platform to stage-manage certain songs and trends.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2022
They speak to the living and stage-manage events from the grave.
From Fox News • Mar. 23, 2019
"Now, another thing: How'd you like to have me stage-manage this d�but of yours?"
From The House of Torchy by Brown, Arthur William
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.
