Meaning of the idiom "Steal someone's thunder"

Question

What does the idiom "Steal someone's thunder" mean? A). To physically overpower a rival in competition B). To divert attention or credit from someone to oneself C). To make someone feel frightened or intimidated D). To reveal a secret that was meant to be kept

Edvaya · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is To divert attention or credit from someone to oneself. The idiom "steal someone's thunder" means to take the attention, praise, or credit that was meant for someone else — often by doing or announcing something that overshadows the other person's moment. Example: "The surprise product launch by a competitor completely stole the company's thunder at the annual tech expo." Origin: The phrase is traced to the playwright John Dennis (early 18th century) who invented a device to create the sound of thunder for his play. When a rival production used the same technique, he complained they had "stolen his thunder." Related idioms: • Take the wind out of someone's sails — to deflate someone's confidence or enthusiasm • Take the spotlight — to attract all the attention

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