steal one's thunder — to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement, or to diminish someone's moment of glory by upstaging them
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement, or to diminish someone's moment of glory by upstaging them
Pronunciation (IPA): /stiːl wʌnz ˈθʌndər/
Example Sentences
- My little sister stole my thunder by announcing she got into Harvard right after I shared my job promotion news.
- The bride was furious when her future mother-in-law stole her thunder by proposing to her boyfriend at the engagement party.
- Don't steal my thunder - let me tell everyone about my new business myself!
steal one's thunder
NOUN[/stiːl wʌnz ˈθʌndər/]
to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement, or to diminish someone's moment of glory by upstaging them
to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement, or to diminish someone's moment of glory by upstaging them
While the audience sits in wonder, one colleague's blunder steals the thunder!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase originates from 18th-century English theatre, attributed to playwright John Dennis who invented a special mechanical device to produce thunder sound effects on stage. When a rival theatre company used his technique without permission, Dennis famously complained that they had 'stolen his thunder,' and the expression subsequently became idiom for taking credit for another's achievement or diminishing someone's impact.
Breakdown
steal (to take without permission) + one's (possessive pronoun, belonging to someone) + thunder (originally stage sound effects, metaphorically representing acclaim, applause, or the dramatic impact of one's achievement).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My little sister stole my thunder by announcing she got into Harvard right after I shared my job promotion news.”
“The bride was furious when her future mother-in-law stole her thunder by proposing to her boyfriend at the engagement party.”
“Don't steal my thunder - let me tell everyone about my new business myself!”
“The CEO accidentally stole his employee's thunder by announcing the innovative idea as his own during the meeting.”
📚Related Words
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