upstage

[uhp-steyj]

adverb

1. on or toward the back of the stage.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or located at the back of the stage.

2. haughtily aloof; supercilious.

verb (used with object)

upstaged, upstaging 

1. to overshadow (another performer) by moving upstage and forcing the performer to turn away from the audience.

2. to outdo professionally, socially, etc.

3. to behave snobbishly toward.

noun

1. the rear half of the stage.

2. any stage position to the rear of another.

upstage

/ ˈʌpˈsteɪdʒ /

adverb

1. on, at, or to the rear of the stage

adjective

1. of or relating to the back half of the stage

2. informal,  haughty; supercilious; aloof

verb

1. to move upstage of (another actor), thus forcing him to turn away from the audience

2. informal,  to draw attention to oneself from (someone else); steal the show from (someone)

3. informal,  to treat haughtily

noun

1. the back half of the stage

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstage¹

First recorded in 1905–10; up- + stage

Example Sentences

So the third feature, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” brings in three lesser-known younger performers to both upstage their elders and get a little coaching from them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The cake, it seemed, was upstaging the guest of honor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Assisted by a smothering defense, Herbert upstaged Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes before a worldwide audience.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A few stories at this year's conference about her former leadership rivals seeking to upstage her may be the price Badenoch has to pay for getting her party noticed.

Read more on BBC

Crowd favourite McIlroy was the star attraction in the leading group but Gotterup - in just his second competitive outing on a links course - upstaged the world number two and several other star names.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• overshadow