What does "Steal the show" mean?

To attract the most attention or be the most impressive. To unexpectedly become the main attraction, often overshadowing others who were meant to be the stars.

How do you use "Steal the show" in a sentence?

The child actor stole the show. Her dress stole the show at the gala. The supporting band stole the show from the headliner.

Steal the show

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To attract the most attention or be the most impressive.

吸引最多关注或最令人印象深刻。

Atraer la mayor atención o ser lo más impresionante.

最も注目を集めること、または最も印象的であること。

가장 큰 주목을 받다, 가장 인상적이다.

To unexpectedly become the main attraction, often overshadowing others who were meant to be the stars.

出乎意料地成为焦点，常常抢了原本应该是主角的人的风头。

Convertirse inesperadamente en la atracción principal, a menudo eclipsando a quienes debían ser las estrellas.

思いがけず主役になり、本来主役であるはずの人を影に追いやること。

예상치 못하게 주인공이 되어, 원래 주역이었어야 할 사람들을 압도하는 것.

Literal meaning: Take the show's attention for yourself

Examples

The child actor stole the show.
那个童星抢尽了风头
El niño actor se robó el espectáculo
子役が主役を食った
아역 배우가 주연을 압도했다.
Her dress stole the show at the gala.
她的礼服在晚会上惊艳全场
Su vestido acaparó todas las miradas en la gala
彼女のドレスがガラパーティーで一番の話題をさらった
그녀의 드레스가 갈라 파티에서 가장 큰 화제를 모았다.
The supporting band stole the show from the headliner.
暖场乐队抢了主打乐队的风头
El grupo telonero eclipsó al principal
前座バンドがヘッドライナーより目立った
전좌 밴드가 헤드라이너보다 더 눈에 띄었다.

Pronunciation

/stiːl ðə ʃəʊ/

Usage Guide

Context: performance, attention, unexpected star

Tone: impressed, surprised

✓ Do Say

She stole the show.
她抢尽了风头
Ella se robó el espectáculo
彼女が全部持っていった
그녀가 주인공을 다 먹었어
The dog stole the show.
那只狗抢尽了风头
El perro se robó el espectáculo
犬が主役を食った
그 개가 완전 주인공이었어
Really stole the show.
真的抢尽了风头
Realmente se robó el espectáculo
本当に全部持っていった
정말 주인공을 다 먹었어

✗ Don't Say

Was the most impressive
Was the most impressive（最令人印象深刻）
Was the most impressive (fue el más impresionante)
Was the most impressive（最も印象的だった）
Was the most impressive (가장 인상적이었다)
Got the most attention
Got the most attention（获得了最多关注）
Got the most attention (acaparó toda la atención)
Got the most attention（最も注目を集めた）
Got the most attention (가장 주목을 받았다)

Common Mistakes

Very common in entertainment
Can be applied to events and situations

Origin & History

From theater—upstaging the main performers.

Etymology: Theater slang

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Award shows; Theater reviews

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Steal the showStole the showSteals the show