Steal someone's thunder
Meaning
To preempt someone by using their idea, announcing their news, or outshining their achievement, thereby taking away their credit or impact.
Origin
In 1709, the English playwright John Dennis debuted his tragedy, "Appius and Virginia," at the Drury Lane Theatre. For this production, Dennis innovated a unique method to simulate the sound of thunder by rattling a sheet of tin—a sound effect far more realistic than anything previously heard on stage. Unfortunately, his play was a dismal failure and quickly closed. Not long after, Dennis attended a performance of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" at the very same theatre and was outraged to hear his ingenious thunder effect being used. "They will not let my play run," he cried, "but they steal my thunder!" This vivid outburst, born from professional pique and artistic plagiarism, immortalized the phrase as a way to describe someone usurping another's distinctive idea or accomplishment.
Examples
- Sarah had planned a big announcement for her promotion, but her colleague stole her thunder by accidentally leaking the news a day early.
- The singer was furious when the opening act played a new song that sounded remarkably like her upcoming single, effectively stealing her thunder.