steal thunder

steal someone's thunder

Fig. to lessen someone's force or authority. What do you mean by coming in here and stealing my thunder? I'm in charge here! someone stole my thunder by leaking my announcement to the press.

See also: steal, thunder

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steal somebody's thunder

to do something that takes attention away from what someone else has done

Usage notes: In the 17th century the writer John Dennis built a machine which made sounds like thunder for one of his plays, but the idea was copied by someone else and used in another play.

I kept quiet about my pregnancy because Cathy was getting married, and I didn't want to steal her thunder.

See also: steal, thunder