upstage — to divert attention from someone to oneself; to outshine or overshadow
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to divert attention from someone to oneself; to outshine or overshadow
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌpsteɪdʒ/
Example Sentences
- The politician tried to upstage his rival by announcing his campaign on the same day.
- My cat somehow managed to upstage me during my important video call by doing backflips.
- The supporting actor was warned not to upstage the lead during the emotional scene.
upstage
VERB[/ˈʌpsteɪdʒ/]
to divert attention from someone to oneself; to outshine or overshadow
to divert attention from someone to oneself; to outshine or overshadow
From backstage to center stage, she knows how to upstage!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term originated in theatrical contexts, initially referring to the rear or back area of a stage. Because theatrical stages were typically sloped with the back elevated, this upward direction was termed 'up,' and the word evolved to mean 'to outshine or draw attention away from another performer' through the action of moving toward the prominent upstage area.
Breakdown
up- (toward the rear/elevated area) + stage (theatrical platform) = the back area of a stage, later metaphorically extended to mean 'to surpass or overshadow another person.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The politician tried to upstage his rival by announcing his campaign on the same day.”
“My cat somehow managed to upstage me during my important video call by doing backflips.”
“The supporting actor was warned not to upstage the lead during the emotional scene.”
“She felt upstaged when her younger sister got all the attention at the family dinner.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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