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steal the show

Idioms

Also, steal the spotlight. Be the center of attention, as in The speeches were interesting but Eliza's singing stole the show. This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. [First half of 1900s]

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.

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steal the show

Though Jason and his Argonauts get top billing in the 1963 B-movie classic, it’s Ray Harryhausen’s sword-wielding troop of the undead that steal the show.

From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026

We caught up with four stars of the stage as they donned their costumes and sequins to come up with a list that enables a dame to steal the show.

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2025

Taking a beat—30 seconds, three minutes—lets the previous role make its exit, so the next one can make its entrance and steal the show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025

But it is the Xi-Trump meeting in South Korea on Thursday that will steal the show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025

The foodmakers would emerge from the kitchens and steal the show in their performance of taste appeal, warm odors, rare dishes....

From The Genius by Con Pederson

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