steal the spotlight

steal the spotlight

To garner attention or praise at the expense of someone or something else. My brother is the star athlete of our high school, so no matter what I succeed in, he's constantly stealing the spotlight. We were just about to announce our engagement when Jeff and Tina stole the spotlight and revealed that they were going to have a baby.
See also: spotlight, steal
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

steal the spotlight

 and steal the show Fig.
to give the best performance in a show, play, or some other event; to get attention for oneself. The lead in the play was very good, but the butler stole the show. Ann always tries to steal the spotlight when she and I make a presentation.
See also: spotlight, steal
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • steal (one's) thunder
  • steal somebody's thunder
  • steal someone's thunder
  • steal thunder
  • (someone or something) to shout about
  • honor (someone) for (something)
  • honor for
  • commend (someone) for (something)
  • commend for
  • backroom boy
References in periodicals archive
This marks the third time that the local junior version of the Ironman will be held as a swim-run event following the Davao City and Vermosa, Cavite competitions with the Subic cast to feature the sport's regular campaigners in the 6-to-14 years old bracket with a number of new faces also out to steal the spotlight from the fancied names in the event starting at 6 a.m.
Summary: New Delhi (India), May 18 (ANI): Varun Dhawan is all set to for the second schedule of Remo D'Souza's directorial 'Street Dancer' and has managed to steal the spotlight with his latest Instagram post.
Debenhams Cosmo Painterly Bud Vase, PS15, Debenhams Attention-seeking and showy, if you can't resist a little bit of monkey business and thoughts of far-flung places, this designer lampshade will steal the spotlight very nicely.
While BTS became the first K-pop act to attend the 2017 AMAs and managed to grab the title of Favourite Social Artist this year, it was rising group NCT 127's turn to steal the spotlight. The 10 members made their red-carpet debut in matching black tuxedos and showed off their charismatic personalities.
Millenniais may often steal the spotlight, but baby boomers are a large demographic that shouldn't be ignored, according to Technomic's 2018 Generational Consumer Trend Report.
Team Rocket tries to steal the spotlight for themselves, but the show must go on!
Jolie's intricate tattoos steal the spotlight in the photographs, with one of the shots focusing on the actor's back, which is covered in ancient Cambodian and Thai symbols.
Still another reason the megastar stated in an Instagram post is that she didn't want to unintentionally steal the spotlight from her daughter.
Pham's bold illustrations provide hilarious detail: Sheep 102's bossy, I-mean-business expressions will have readers rolling off the bed, as will Cow's attempt to steal the spotlight and document the occasion.
(You'd steal the spotlight too if missing a beat in a synchronized chant resulted in death for yourself and your entire family).
Veteran Stevie McNally defied father time and an opponent a staggering 40 years younger than him to steal the spotlight at Bridge of Allan Squash Club and make East of Scotland Squash League history.
Our pick of the booze trends that are set to steal the spotlight this year...
While some believe Middleton will steal the spotlight from the other stars, there will be a number of high-profile celebrities at the event.
While the actress was known for playing New York fashionista Carrie Bradshaw in the show, Kim managed to steal the spotlight rocking a silver metallic dress to watch her husband.
After Batman and Superman, it's time for DC Comics' villains to steal the spotlight. Leading cinemas FILM TALK