stage (redirected from stage left)

at this stage (of the game)

Fig. at the current point in some event or situation; currently. We'll have to wait and see. There isn't much we can do at this stage of the game. At this stage, we are better off not calling the doctor.

See also: this

boo someone off the stage and boo someone off

to jeer and hoot, causing a performer to leave the stage. The rude audience booed the performer off the stage. The audience booed off the comedian.

See also: boo

hoot someone off the stage

[for an audience] to boo and hiss until a performer leaves the stage. The rude audience hooted Carl off the stage. Carl was hooted off the stage.

See also: hoot

in a stage whisper

Fig. in a loud whisper that everyone can hear. John said in a stage whisper, "This play is boring." "When do we eat?" asked Billy in a stage whisper.

See also: whisper

laugh someone off the stage

Fig. to laugh rudely, forcing a person to leave a stage. The rude audience laughed the politician off the stage. The children laughed the soprano off the stage. She really wasn't very good, you know.

See also: laugh

set the stage for something 

1. Lit. to arrange a stage for an act or scene of a production. The stage crew set the stage for the first act. They set the stage for the second scene while the orchestra played.

2. Fig. to prepare something for some activity. The initial meeting set the stage for further negotiations. Your negative comments set the stage for another big argument.

See also: set

take the stage

Fig. to become the center of attention; to become the focus of everyone's attention. Later in the day, the problems in the warehouse took the stage, and we discussed them until dinnertime.

See also: take

walk on stage and off again

Fig. to play a very small role where one goes on stage and quickly leaves again. It was a very small part. I walked on stage and right off again.

See also: again, and, walk

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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

set the stage for something

if you set the stage for something, you make it possible or likely to happen The purpose of that first meeting was to set the stage for future co-operation between Russia and the USA.

See also: set

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at this stage of the game (spoken)

at a particular place in a process At this stage of the game, it's really too late to switch computer software.

See also: game, this

set the stage for something

to prepare the way for something else to happen This new information sets the stage for a long and interesting trial.

Etymology: from the preparation of the stage in a theater for the performance of a play

See also: set

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: center, take