upstage
|up-stage|
/ˌʌpˈsteɪdʒ/
overshadow
Etymology
'upstage' originates from the theater term 'upstage,' referring to the back part of the stage, where actors would move to draw attention away from others.
'upstage' changed from a purely theatrical term to a more general term used in everyday language to describe overshadowing someone.
Initially, it meant 'the back part of the stage,' but over time it evolved to mean 'to overshadow someone.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the rear part of a stage.
The director instructed the actors to move upstage.
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Verb 1
to draw attention away from someone else, often by being more interesting or attractive.
She tried to upstage her co-star during the performance.
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Last updated: 2025/02/13 22:21