limelight
be in the limelight
To be the center of attention. The phrase refers to a type of lamp that was previously used in theatrical stage lighting. My sister loves being in the limelight, but I get really nervous on stage. Once news of this scandal breaks, our company will be in the limelight for months.
See also: limelight
in the limelight
At the center of attention. The phrase refers to a type of lamp that was previously used in theatrical stage lighting. My sister loves being in the limelight, but I get really nervous on stage. Once news of this scandal breaks, our company will be in the limelight for months. He handles the financial side of the business, but he prefers not to be in the limelight when it comes to promotions and marketing.
See also: limelight
in the spotlight
1. Literally positioned in a beam of light, typically while performing onstage. The director assured me that I would be in the spotlight for my solo.
2. The center of attention. My sister loves being in the spotlight, but I get really nervous on stage. Once news of this scandal breaks, our company will be in the spotlight for months.
See also: spotlight
out of the limelight
Not or no longer at the center of attention. The phrase refers to a type of lamp that was previously used in theatrical stage lighting. He handles the financial side of the business, but he prefers to remain out of the limelight when it comes to promotions and marketing. After being famous for so long, Mark found it hard to be out of the limelight after his contract with the studio ended.
See also: limelight, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
in the spotlight
1. Fig. in the beam of a spotlight, as on a stage. The singer was in the spotlight but the band was almost in the dark.
2. and in the limelight Fig. at the center of attention. (Limelight refers to an obsolete type of spotlight, and the word occurs only in this phrase.) John will do almost anything to get himself into the limelight. I love being in the spotlight. All elected officials spend a lot of time in the limelight.
See also: spotlight
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
in the limelight
Also, in the spotlight. At the center of public attention or notoriety. For example, John loves being in the limelight, or The reporters made sure the attractive new actress would be in the spotlight. Both terms come from the theater and allude to focusing light on an important person, the first from a lighting device used from about 1840 on, the second from the early 1900s. Also see in the public eye; steal the show.
See also: limelight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
out of/in the ˈlimelight
receiving no/a lot of public attention: If you are married to a Prime Minister, you are always in the limelight.In theatres, lime used to be burnt in front of the stage to give a bright light.See also: limelight, of, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
in the limelight
In the center of public attention. The term comes from a vivid lighting device used in theaters from about 1840 on to throw a strong light on the star of a performance. Relying on the combustion of oxygen and hydrogen on a surface of lime and a lens for directing the light, it was invented in 1826 by Thomas Drummond. George Bernard Shaw, in a letter concerning a controversy about censorship (ca. 1900), wrote, “Look after the limelight, and the play will look after itself.”
See also: limelight
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- be in the limelight
- in the limelight
- lime
- out of/in the limelight
- out of the limelight
- midnight
- burn the midnight oil
- burn the midnight oil, to
- carry a Chinaman on (one's) back
- have a Chinaman on (one's) back