center

center something on someone or something

to base something on someone or something. Let us center the discussion on Walter. Our whole meeting was centered on the conservation question.

center around someone or something

to make someone or something the central point in something; to be based on someone or something. Your salary increases center around your ability to succeed at your job. The success of the picnic centers around the weather next week.

See also: around

center of attention

the focus of people's attention; the thing or person who monopolizes people's attention. She had a way of making herself the center of attention wherever she went.

See also: attention

center on someone or something

to focus on someone or something in particular. Let us center on the basic problem and try to solve it. I want to center on Liz and her contributions to the firm.

dead center

at the exact center of something. The arrow hit the target dead center. When you put the flowers on the table, put them dead center.

See also: dead

off center

not exactly in the center or middle. The arrow hit the target a little off center. The picture hanging over the chair is a little off center.

on dead center 

1. Lit. at the exact center of something. The arrow hit the target on dead center. When you put the flowers on the table, put them on dead center.

2. Fig. exactly correct. Mary is quite observant. Her analysis is on dead center. My estimate wasn't on dead center, but it was very close to the final cost.

See also: dead

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be/take centre stage  (British) also be/take center stage (American)

to be the most important thing or person at an event or in a situation, or to be the thing or person that people notice most A new range of electric cars will be centre stage at next month's exhibition.

See also: centre, stage

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center on somebody/something also center around somebody/something

to be the person or thing that is most noticed The movie centers on one man's struggle to deal with his father. Much of this region's economy centers around a large oil field.

take center stage

to be the center of interest Collecting food and clothes for disaster victims has taken center stage in our town. A new line of electric cars took center stage at the automobile show.

See also: stage, take

the center of attention

someone or something everyone notices Frost was the center of attention in the week before the game.

See also: attention