center

Related to center: thesaurus

be center stage

To be the main focus. I'm not talking about my promotion today because my sister's engagement should be center stage. Her photos will be center stage at the exhibit.
See also: center, stage

center around (someone or something)

To focus on someone or something. But it's Beth's surprise party, not yours, so all the decorations and games should center around her and her alone. This novel centers around the protagonist's journey to self-discovery.
See also: around, center

center field

1. In baseball, the area of the field beyond second base and in the middle of the outfield. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. He hit the ball into center field—and right into the glove of the outfielder.
2. In baseball, the position of a player who occupies and defends the center of the field. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. My goal is to be fast enough to play center field next year.
3. A position between extremes or in line with what is generally accepted or understood. Often used with "left of" or "right of" (usually referring to political ideology) to indicate a more biased position. The president has been accused by both political parties of wanting to stay in center field on the issue of tax reform. Once I heard John's liberal ideas, I knew his beliefs were left of center field.
See also: center, field

center of attraction

A person, place, or thing that attracts the most attention among others. There were many movie stars at the premiere, but the leading lady was the center of attraction. Temple Bar is definitely the center of attraction in Dublin.
See also: attraction, center, of

center on (someone or something)

1. To focus on someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "center" and "on." But it's Beth's surprise party, not yours, so all the decorations and games should center on her and her alone. This novel centers on the protagonist's journey to self-discovery.
2. To position something in the center of a space, usually a wall. A noun or pronoun can be used between "center" and "on." That picture just isn't centered on the wall—tilt it a little more to the left.
See also: center, on

dead center

Exactly in the middle of something. If you're going to hang that painting, make sure you put it dead center—otherwise, it will just look weird. I want you dead center in this picture, so move a little to the left.
See also: center, dead

front and center

In a very conspicuous or notable place; at the forefront of some space. I can't believe that my daughter is on stage, front and center! That painting is really eye-catching, so be sure to put it front and center.
See also: and, center, front

left, right, and center

In many different places or to many different people all at once. Primarily heard in US. Ever since the company started, we've had financial issues left, right, and center. The economy has been devastating people left, right, and center in this country.
See also: and, center

left, right, and centre

In many different places or to many different people all at once. Primarily heard in UK. Ever since the company started, we've had financial issues left, right, and centre. The economy has been devastating people left, right, and centre in this country.
See also: and, centre

off-center

1. Not perfectly lined up in the center of something. I don't know. I still think the picture looks a little off-center.
2. Not standard, typical, or usual; unique or odd. We've taken an off-center approach to solving this problem.

on dead center

Exactly in the middle of something. Make sure that painting is on dead center on the wall—otherwise, it will just look weird. The politician has been criticized by his constituents for sitting on dead center when it comes to the issue of immigration reform.
See also: center, dead, on

take center stage

To be the main focus. I'm not talking about my promotion today because my sister's engagement should take center stage. Her photos took center stage at the exhibit.
See also: center, stage, take

the center of attention

The main focus of people's interest or attention. This phrase sometimes has a negative connotation when it refers to one who pursues or seems to crave attention. My little sister always has to be the center of attention, so of course her drama overshadowed my birthday party. And in this corner of the room, a gorgeous, three-tiered cake will be the center of attention.
See also: attention, center, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

center around someone or something

to make someone or something the central point in something; to be based on someone or something. Your salary increases center around your ability to succeed at your job. The success of the picnic centers around the weather next week.
See also: around, center

center of attention

the focus of people's attention; the thing or person who monopolizes people's attention. She had a way of making herself the center of attention wherever she went.
See also: attention, center, of

center on someone or something

to focus on someone or something in particular. Let us center on the basic problem and try to solve it. I want to center on Liz and her contributions to the firm.
See also: center, on

center something on someone or something

to base something on someone or something. Let us center the discussion on Walter. Our whole meeting was centered on the conservation question.
See also: center, on

dead center

at the exact center of something. The arrow hit the target dead center. When you put the flowers on the table, put them dead center.
See also: center, dead

off center

not exactly in the center or middle. The arrow hit the target a little off center. The picture hanging over the chair is a little off center.
See also: center, off

on dead center

 
1. Lit. at the exact center of something. The arrow hit the target on dead center. When you put the flowers on the table, put them on dead center.
2. Fig. exactly correct. Mary is quite observant. Her analysis is on dead center. My estimate wasn't on dead center, but it was very close to the final cost.
See also: center, dead, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

center of attraction, the

Something or someone that attracts the most interest or curiosity. For example, The Ferris wheel is always the center of attraction at our carnival, or Jan is the center of attraction wherever she goes. This expression comes from physics, where since about 1770 it has denoted the point to which bodies tend by gravity or the action of centripetal force.
See also: center, of

front and center

In the most prominent position, as in You couldn't miss John-he was front and center in that presentation. This expression alludes to the best and usually most expensive seats in a theater.
See also: and, center, front
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

left, right, and centre

BRITISH or

left and right

AMERICAN
You use left, right, and centre to show that something is happening or being done a lot. They're expecting the state to pay out money left right and centre. The Postal Service has been losing customers left and right.
See also: and, centre
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

left, right, and centre (also left and right or right and left)

on all sides.
1996 Loaded She relocated to New York… quickly finding herself heralded left, right and centre as The Face Of The '80s.
See also: and, centre
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌfront and ˈcenter

(American English) in or into the most important position: This is the first TV channel to put kids front and center.
See also: and, center, front
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

center around

v.
1. To be primarily concerned with something: The plot of this story centers around the life of a cowboy.
2. To make or do something that is primarily concerned with something else: We centered our discussion around the problem of homelessness.
See also: around, center

center on

v.
1. To be concerned primarily with something: This chapter centers on the childhood of one of the characters.
2. To make or do something that is concerned primarily with something else: We centered our analysis on the best pieces of evidence.
3. To place something at the center of some location: We centered the painting on the wall.
See also: center, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

front and center

In the most prominent position.
See also: and, center, front
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • be center stage
  • centre
  • take center stage
  • take centre stage
  • stage
  • in the eye of the storm
  • be in the eye of the storm
  • the eye of the storm
  • off-center
  • off center
References in periodicals archive
Group 7 -Zallaq Youth Center, Ras Ruman Youth Center, Zayed Town Youth Center, Naim Youth Center.
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[39] Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
2010 NS-AUA Abstracts
Reynolds concluded that the child-parent center's benefits-to-costs ratio was more than 7-to-1.
Investing early: high-quality pre-schools have been proven to make a significant difference, but a number of them have closed in recent years
The two-story facility also houses Temple's new 4,200-squarefoot Welcome Center on the first floor, which tacked on another $1 million to the project (see "The Wow Factor," p.
Tech Central: despite all the talk about wireless, Temple University leaders found it made sense to centralize its technology equipment on campus
In addition to his leadership role at the Center, Stuckey is heavily involved in many other philanthropic and community projects.
Ratner's James Stuckey to be honored for leadership
These activities include health fair events, University blood drives, community "back to school" nights and outreach activities related to the nurse managed health center. Students assist public health nurses and other nursing center staff in a variety of events, including blood pressure screening, health education, and distributing handouts related to heart disease, immunization, lead poisoning prevention and cancer screening.
The real world: service, learning and missions
NIH will consider centers as well as networks in response to the ACE initiative.
Autism Centers of Excellence (R01)
Mexico: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (left), Felipe Calderon (center right), Roberto Madrazo (center left)
To the polls
Through the Centers, members can come together with CPAs who share a common interest in a particular area.
Two web-based specialized centers launch: financial management, tax
Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist, are a factor among call center workers, who may sit at their computers for six or seven hours a day.
Calls for a cure: with flexible schedules and ergonomic accommodations, companies can curb high absenteeism at their call centers
This is all part of Secretary Rumsfeld's initiative to transform the five Regional Centers for Security Studies into a global collaborative program.
New relationship with Regional Centers
The Education Center's goals are targeted to two key groups in the NewCourtland network--the employees and the elders.
Building a bridge to education: NewCourtland Elder Services grows staff from within
Iyengar-style Yoga Classes with Adam Laufer in Weaverville at Bochicchio Chiropractic Center located on Old Weaverville Hwy & Reels Creek Rd, Weaverville.
New Life Events: about New Life Events
Many travelers to the United States can claim visits to The Big Apple, The White House, The Golden Gate Bridge and Niagara Falls, but how about the Johnson Research Center in Three Rivers, Michigan?
All "dry" roads lead to Research Center
Students at a call center training institute in New Delhi are learning how to speak English, American-style.
Indian by day, American by night