stiːl ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈθʌndər
General
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- Taking someone's thunder sound effect
What does "steal someone's thunder" mean?
- To take credit for someone else's idea or work
- To do what someone else was planning first
Examples
- She stole my thunder by announcing the news first.
- Don't steal his thunder—let him tell them himself.
- The competitor stole their thunder with an earlier launch.
Origin
From 1704 when playwright John Dennis invented a thunder sound effect, which was then used by rivals. He complained they 'stole his thunder.'
How to use it
Always negative for the person whose thunder is stolen. Common in competitive contexts.
Similar expressions
upstage
take credit
overshadow
preempt
Opposites
give credit
let someone shine
share spotlight
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "steal someone's thunder" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.