Steal the show

Meaning

Attract more attention than others in a performance or event.

Usage

Applied to anyone who outshines peers unexpectedly.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Theater term describing performers who grab focus.

20th-century Broadway reviews popularized the phrase.