Steal thunder

Meaning

The idiom "steal thunder" means to take credit for someone else's idea, invention or achievement. It suggests that the person who stole the thunder is trying to upstage or outdo someone else by taking their limelight away. This expression has its roots in 18th century English literature and drama.

Usage

• The actor who stole the show was the one who got all the credit for the play's success.
• My colleague submitted a paper on the same topic as mine just before I could, stealing my thunder.
• The new CEO is trying to steal the spotlight from the outgoing CEO by making big announcements.
• The inventor who patented the device first was disappointed when another inventor claimed credit for it later.
• The musician who performed at the concert first was upset when the headliner took credit for the song they composed together.

Roots and History

The idiom "steal thunder" originated in 1764 when playwright John Dennis created an electromagnetic device that could produce a loud crackling noise, which he used to simulate thunder for his play "Othello". However, another playwright named John Dennis stole the idea from him and incorporated it into his own play "The Siege of Paris" before "Othello" was even performed. This incident led to the creation of the idiom "steal thunder" in English literature.

Synonyms in English

• Take credit for someone else's idea/achievement
• Claim victory/success as one's own
• Steal limelight away from others
• Outdo or upstage someone
• Usurp a position or title

Synonyms in other languages

• English: "usurp, supplant"
• French: "suppléer, raser"
• German: "verdrängen, erobern"
• Spanish: "supplantar, usurpar"
• Italian: "supergià, sottrare gloria"

Similar Idioms

• man of straw

• smell something fishy

• scot-free