PhrasesHub

steal his thunder

    Definitions

      • take credit for someone else's idea or achievement
        To claim recognition for something that someone else has done, often causing the original person to feel overshadowed or unnoticed

      • sabotage someone's success
        To spoil someone else's plans or efforts in order to prevent them from achieving success or recognition

    Examples of steal his thunder

    • During the company presentation, Sarah noticed that John's confident demeanor was captivating the audience. However, just as he was about to share a pivotal detail that would undeniably sway the decision makers, Sarah spoke up and provided the same information, stealing John's thunder and garnering her own share of praise.

      In this example, "steal his thunder" is used in a business and professional context. It symbolizes the act of disrupting someone's successful performance or presentation by introducing newer and more impressive details or information that overshadows the previous speaker's work. It is often employed in scenarios where credit, recognition, and acclaim are highly regarded.

    • Sarah's boss announced a major promotion for her during a company-wide meeting, but her coworker, Tom, interrupted the speech to announce his own accomplishment, effectively stealing Sarah's thunder.

      The phrase "steal his thunder" comes from the 17th century play "Don Quixote" by Matthew Locke and Thomas Shadwell. In the play, a character named Oliver attempts to steal the thunder of another character named Martin by setting off fireworks earlier than Martin's planned display. The expression has since been used to describe situations where one person undermines or overshadows another's achievements or announcements.

    • Sarah had been rehearsing her speech for weeks, but at the last minute, her co-worker Mike changed the topic and delivered the same idea. Sarah felt like Mike had stolen her thunder.

      To steal someone's thunder is to take credit for an idea or action that someone else originated or planned. This phrase comes from the days of theatrical performances when thunder and lightning effects were used to create dramatic effect. Sometimes, these effects would be set off by mistake or intentionally by someone other than the intended speaker, which would "steal" the thunder from the intended performer.

    • Emily had been working on a top-secret project for months, but her boss announced the same idea at a meeting, making Emily feel like her ideas had been stolen.

      In this example, Emily's boss may have learned about the project from someone else or may have come up with the same idea independently. Regardless, Emily felt like her boss had "stolen" her thunder by presenting the idea as his own.

    • Jamie had been planning a surprise party for his friend, but his friend found out about the party and showed up early, ruining the surprise. Jamie felt like his friend had stolen the thunder of the party.

      In this example, the friend's early arrival ruined the surprise element of the party, which was a big part of the event's impact. Jamie felt like his friend had "stolen" the thunder by ruining the surprise.

    • Laura had been working on a project for weeks, but her colleague Mark submitted a similar project just before the deadline, causing Laura's project to be overlooked. Laura felt like Mark had stolen her thunder.

      In this example, Mark may have learned about Laura's project or may have come up with a similar idea independently. Laura felt like Mark had "stolen" her thunder by submitting a similar project at the last minute, causing Laura's project to be overlooked.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "steal his thunder" is used to describe the act of taking credit for someone else's idea or achievement, or sabotaging someone's success. It is often used in a negative context to highlight the unfairness or dishonesty of the action. When someone steals another person's thunder, they are essentially denying them the recognition and appreciation they deserve, and potentially hindering their progress or success.

    This idiom can be used in various situations, such as in the workplace when one colleague takes credit for another's work, or in personal relationships when someone intentionally undermines their partner's achievements. It is a cautionary phrase that reminds people to be mindful of their actions and to give credit where it is due, rather than trying to overshadow or hinder others.

    Origin of "steal his thunder"

    The origin of the idiom "steal his thunder" can be traced back to the 1700s and is attributed to the playwright and critic John Dennis. According to popular belief, Dennis had invented a new method for creating the sound of thunder in theatrical productions. However, when his play was performed, another theater used the same technique without his permission. This led Dennis to exclaim that "they will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder."

    This incident is thought to have inspired the idiom, which has since become a common phrase in the English language. The story of John Dennis and his stolen thunder serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of being overshadowed or undermined, and has resonated with people for centuries.