WordValesteal someone's thunder
to take credit for another's idea
In more detail
to take credit for someone else's idea or success; to spoil someone's moment of glory by doing something more impressive before they can
Examples
- When my colleague announced my project idea as his own in the meeting, he completely stole my thunder.
How to use steal someone's thunder
This idiomatic expression is used to describe situations where someone diminishes another person's moment of success or recognition, either intentionally or unintentionally. It carries a sense of unfairness and is typically used in a disapproving tone. It can describe both taking credit for another's achievement and overshadowing them by performing something more impressive at the same time.
Common phrases
- steal someone's thunder completely
- accidentally steal someone's thunder
- steal the thunder from
- steal someone's thunder at the event
Synonyms
upstage · outshine · overshadow · take the wind out of someone's sails · hog the spotlight
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with similar expressions like 'taking all the credit' when the focus should be on the timing and the competitive overshadowing rather than just dishonest attribution.
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