spotlight (redirected from spotlighted)

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.

steal the spotlight and steal the show Fig.

to give the best performance in a show, play, or some other event; to get attention for oneself. The lead in the play was very good, but the butler stole the show. Ann always tries to steal the spotlight when she and I make a presentation.

See also: steal

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be in the spotlight  (mainly American)

to get attention and interest from the public I always assumed she liked being in the spotlight. (mainly American)

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put a spotlight on somebody/something

to direct attention to someone or something The newspaper articles put a spotlight on the bad condition of our school buildings.

Related vocabulary: shed light on something

See also: put