Upstage (Verb)
Meaning 1
Move upstage, forcing the other actors to turn away from the audience.
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- As she said her line, she began to move upstage, forcing her scene partner to awkwardly reposition himself.
- During the pivotal monologue, the supporting actor couldn't resist moving upstage and stealing the lead's thunder.
- The inept actress continued to move upstage without noticing how it was affecting the positioning of the rest of the cast.
- When the young actor stepped forward to deliver his line, the veteran actor subtly moved upstage, commanding the audience's attention.
- In a move that the director deemed unprofessional, the lead actress moved upstage, causing her counterparts to rearrange the scene on the fly.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Treat snobbishly, put in one's place.
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- Her condescending manner was an attempt to upstage her less educated colleagues during meetings.
- He often upstaged his business partners by correcting their grammar in front of clients.
- Her know-it-all attitude is so off-putting that she frequently upstages anyone who tries to contribute to the conversation.
- The aristocrat's refined demeanor was used to upstage those she deemed as inferior.
- She managed to upstage her rival by effortlessly recalling obscure literary references in conversation.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Steal the show, draw attention to oneself away from someone else; "When the dog entered the stage, he upstaged the actress".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The young daughter's antics during the wedding ceremony upstaged the bride and groom's romantic exchange of vows.
- During her acceptance speech, the presenter's loud outburst upstaged the talented musician receiving the award.
- The audience couldn't take their eyes off the acrobatic dancer, and she effectively upstaged the lead singer.
- Although the movie star was supposed to be the center of attention, the charismatic talk show host upstaged her in the interview.
- At the comedy club, an audience member's hilarious reaction upstaged the comedian's delivery of the punchline.