The idiom "stole the show" means to attract more attention or praise than anyone or anything else in a situation, especially unexpectedly. It is often used to describe someone or something that performs very well or impresses others a lot.

In short:

• "Stole the show" means to outshine others or be the center of attention.
• It can be used to praise or criticize someone or something.

What Does "Stole the Show" Mean?

The idiom "stole the show" has two primary meanings depending on the situation and context.

• To perform so well or be so impressive that everyone else seems less important or less talented. This meaning is usually positive and complimentary. It implies that the person or thing that stole the show deserved the attention and admiration they received.
• To take away attention or praise from someone or something else that was supposed to be the main focus or attraction. This meaning is usually negative and critical. It implies that the person or thing that stole the show did not deserve the attention and admiration they received or that they did it intentionally or rudely.

Some related expressions that have similar meanings are:

• To steal the spotlight
• To steal the limelight
• To steal someone's thunder

Where Does "Stole the Show" Come From?

According to some sources, the idiom "stole the show" dates back to the 19th century, when actors and actresses would try to outperform each other on stage by using various tricks and techniques, such as speaking louder, moving faster, making funny faces, or improvising lines. Sometimes, these tricks would work so well that they would make the audience forget about the main plot or characters of the play and focus only on the actor or actress who "stole the show."

Historical Example

One of the earliest examples of the use of this idiom is from a 1907 edition of The Washington Post, which reviewed a play called The Girl Behind The Counter:

"Miss Edna May as Mary Jones was easily first in popularity with last night's audience. She sang well, acted with spirit and grace, and fairly stole the show from all competitors."

10 Examples of "Stole the Show" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

• The main dish was tasty, but the dessert stole the show with its chocolatey goodness.
• Yoink. He tried to impress her with his jokes, but she stole the show with her witty replies.
• Yaas! The painting was impressive, but the sculpture stole the show with its intricate details.
• Quite frankly, the movie was entertaining, but the dog stole the show with his hilarious antics.
• Holy cow! The game was exciting, but the cheerleaders stole the show with their acrobatic routines.
• Real talk: The singer's performance was good, but the dancer stole the show with her unique moves.
• No questions asked. The cake was delicious, but the ice cream stole the show with its impeccable flavor.
• No diggity. She gave a brilliant speech, but her son stole the show when he ran on stage and hugged her.
• Oh, snap. He thought he had the best costume, but his little sister stole the show with her cute unicorn outfit.
• The flowers were beautiful, but the rainbow stole the show with its stunning colors. Indeed, it is a sight to behold.

Examples of "Stole the Show" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of pop culture:

• In 2016, Beyoncé "stole the show" at the Super Bowl halftime show with her performance of Formation, a song that celebrates black culture and addresses social issues. She was joined by dancers dressed as Black Panthers, a political group that fought for civil rights in the 1960s and 1970s.
• In 2018, Meghan Markle "stole the show" at her wedding to Prince Harry with her elegant and simple wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress featured a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a five-meter-long veil embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
• In 2019, Billy Porter "stole the show" at the Oscars with his tuxedo gown, designed by Christian Siriano. The outfit was a statement of gender fluidity and inclusivity and challenged the norms of red-carpet fashion.
• In 2021, Amanda Gorman "stole the show" at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden with her poem The Hill We Climb, which expressed hope and optimism for the future of America. She was the youngest inaugural poet in history and received praise from celebrities, politicians, and millions of viewers.

Other Ways to Say "Stole the Show"

Some synonyms or alternative ways to say "stole the show" are:

• To be a hit
• To be a scene-stealer
• To be a showstopper
• To be a crowd-pleaser
• To be the star of the show

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Stole the Show"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "stole the show" mean?

The idiom "stole the show" means to attract more attention or praise than anyone or anything else in a situation, especially unexpectedly. It is often used to describe someone or something that performs very well or impresses others a lot.

• What is the origin of the phrase "stole the show"?

According to some sources, the idiom "stole the show" dates back to the 19th century, when actors and actresses would try to outperform each other on stage by using various tricks and techniques.

• Is "stole the show" a compliment or an insult?

It depends on the context and the intention of the speaker. It can be a compliment if used to praise someone or something for being impressive or outstanding. It can be an insult if used to criticize someone or something for taking away attention or recognition from someone or something else.

• Can you use "stole the show" for things other than entertainment or public events?
  

Yes, you can use "stole the show" for any situation where someone or something attracts more attention or admiration than others. For example, you can use it to describe a person who does well in a job interview, a product that sells well in a market, or a dish that tastes very good in a meal.

• Can you use "stole the show" in past tense?
  

Yes, you can use "stole the show" in the past tense to describe something that happened in the past. For example, you can say, "She stole the show at her graduation ceremony with her valedictorian speech."

• Can you use "stole the show" in future tense?

Yes, you can use "stole the show" in future tense to predict or expect something that will happen in the future. For example, you can say, "He will steal the show at his concert with his new song."

• Can you use "stole the show" in the present tense?

Yes, you can use "stole the show" in the present tense to describe something happening in the present. For example, you can say, "She is stealing the show at her dance recital with her amazing moves."

• Can you use "steal" instead of "stole" in this idiom?

Yes, you can use "steal" instead of "stole" in this idiom if you want to use it in present tense or infinitive form.

• Can you use "stole the show" in a negative sentence?

Yes, you can use "stole the show" in a negative sentence if you want to deny or negate someone or something's performance or impression. For example, you can say, "He didn't steal the show at his audition. He was very nervous and forgot his lines." or "No one stole the show at the party. It was dull."

• Can you use "stole the show" with other prepositions?

Yes, you can use "stole the show" with other prepositions to specify or indicate someone or something's performance or impression. For example, you can say, "She stole the show from her rival with her clever strategy." or "He stole the show for his team with his winning goal."

Final Thoughts About "Stole the Show"

The idiom "stole the show" is a common and useful expression that can be used in various situations and contexts. It can help you express your admiration or criticism of someone or something that performs very well or impresses others a lot.

Some key points to remember about this idiom:

• It means to attract more attention or praise than anyone or anything else in a situation.
• It can be used positively or negatively, depending on the context and the speaker's intention.
• It originated from the entertainment world, where actors would try to outperform each other on stage.
• It has some related expressions with similar meanings that can be used interchangeably.