Make headlines

Origin

The term 'headline' itself became common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as newspapers evolved from dense, text-heavy pages into more visually striking publications with large, bold titles designed to grab the reader's attention. As mass media exploded, the most important, shocking, or compelling stories were given pride of place, literally 'making headlines' with their commanding typography at the top of the page. The phrase quickly transcended its journalistic roots, becoming a vivid metaphor for any person, event, or discovery that captures widespread public interest and becomes the dominant topic of conversation, much like a sensational newspaper banner demands attention.