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. He handles the financial side of the business, but he prefers not to be in the limelight when it comes to promotions and marketing.
hog the limelight
To receive or attempt to garner attention or praise at the expense or to the exclusion of someone or something else. Why did my sister have to wear such a stunning and extravagant dress to my wedding? I swear, she's always hogging the limelight! The audience member's hilarious story and infectious personality hogged the limelight during the talk show. As usual, you and I do all the work, and Alice hogs the 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.
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. No, I'm not trying out for the talent show—I don't want to be in the spotlight! Will you go onstage and read my poem for me? I really hate being in the spotlight.
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. That senator seems to have no problem being in the spotlight, even if it's for negative reasons.
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.
steal the limelight
To garner attention or praise at the expense or to the exclusion of someone or something else. Are you sure you want to wear such an extravagant dress to your sister's wedding? You don't want to steal the limelight. The other talk show guests found themselves on the sidelines as the comedian's hilarious stories and infectious personality stole the limelight.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer