verb
upstage
uhp-STAYJ
verb
1
To draw attention away from someone else, often deliberately.
"The flower girl upstaged the bride at the wedding."
noun
1
The part of a stage farthest from the audience.
"The actor moved upstage to deliver his final line."
adj
1
Haughty or aloof.
"His upstage manner put off the other guests."
How to Use Upstage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo steal the spotlight from someone, literally or figuratively.
Common pairings
upstage someone
move upstage
Word Forms
more upstage comparative, more upstage comparative, upstaged past tense, upstages singular, most upstage superlative, most upstage superlative
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The flower girl _____ the bride at the wedding.
Etymology
From up- + stage. The figurative meaning "to draw attention away" comes from actors moving to a higher, more visible spot on a sloped stage.