scene

arrive (up)on the scene (of something) and arrive at the scene (of something)

to reach the location of an event in progress. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on and at.) The police arrived on the scene of the crime. They arrived upon the scene of a frightening accident. What did they do when they arrived at the scene?

See also: arrive

behind the scenes

without receiving credit or fame; out of public view. (Referring originally to those who worked on a theatrical piece but do not appear on the stage.) The people who worked behind the scenes are the real heroes of this project. I worked behind the scenes in the play. We should thank the people who are behind the scenes of our success.

See also: behind

burst (up)on the scene

to appear suddenly somewhere; to enter or arrive suddenly some place. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The police suddenly burst upon the scene. They burst on the scene and took control.

See also: burst

burst onto the scene

Fig. to appear suddenly in a location. When Charles burst onto the scene, no one was prepared for the news he brought. The police suddenly burst onto the scene and arrested everyone in the room.

See also: burst

come on the scene and arrive on the scene 

1. Lit. to arrive at a place. When we came on the scene, the ambulances were already there. The police arrived on the scene and began directing traffic.

2. Fig. to become part of a situation. She thought she was in love with Harry until Bob came on the scene.

See also: come

make a scene and create a scene

Fig. to make a public display or disturbance. When John found a fly in his drink, he started to create a scene. Oh, John, please don't make a scene. Just forget about it.

See also: make

make the scene 

1. S/. to attend an event. We plan to make the scene, but we may be a bit late. I hope everybody can make the scene.

2. Sl. to understand a situation; to appreciate the situation. I can't quite make the scene, but it looks like Willie punched the guy over here. Then he moved to the window over here, and that's when the woman across the street saw him. I can make the scene. It's just like you said, except Willie came in and found the guy laid out on the floor.

See also: make

on the scene

Fig. available or present where something is happening or where something has happened. The ambulance was on the scene almost immediately. I wasn't on the scene when it happened.

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behind the scenes

if something happens behind the scenes, it happens secretly, especially when something else is happening publicly Diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the peace talks.

See also: behind

set the scene

to describe a situation where something is going to happen soon First, let's set the scene - it was a cold dark night with a strong wind blowing...

See also: set

set the scene for something

if you set the scene for something, you make it possible or likely to happen The recent resignation of two government ministers has set the scene for a pre-election crisis.

See also: set

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behind the scenes

quietly, in a way that does not attract attention Diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the talks.

See also: behind

burst onto the scene

to suddenly become famous Marsalis burst onto the scene in the early 1980s and proved that jazz could have its own superstars.

See also: burst

make a scene

to be loud and rude with other people or in public My father made a scene, then raced upstairs, slamming the door so hard that the window broke.

See also: make

make the scene

to be active in a social activity She hopes to be behind the wheel, making the scene with her friends, after she gets her driver's license.

See also: make

on the scene

in a place where something is happening Reporters arrived on the scene within minutes of the explosion. The US commander on the scene has requested 2,000 more troops.

set the scene (for something)

1. to make something possible or likely to happen The recent resignation of two cabinet members has set the scene for a pre-election crisis.

2. to describe a situation so that people can understand what is happening Let me just set the scene briefly and my colleague will add some details later.

See also: set