steal the show

1. 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

After Damien McKenzie climbed off the bench to break Scottish hearts against the All Blacks last week, another substitute entered the fray in the second half to steal the show.

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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.

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Skip the A5 Wagyu katsu sando and dive straight into the seafood: oysters topped with uni and Hokkaido scallop sashimi steal the show.

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The rain tried to steal the show in Colombo but it could not overshadow South Africa.

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He rather gave away his wicket as a century beckoned, caught sweeping by Tristan Stubbs, but it did nothing to halt England's momentum, with Salt seizing his opportunity to steal the show.

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