What does “Steal someone's thunder” mean?

"Steal someone's thunder" means to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement.

What context can I use the in?

Example

He always tries to steal someone's thunder by presenting their ideas as his own.

Example

She was furious when her coworker stole her thunder and claimed credit for her project.

Example

The CEO was quick to steal his employee's thunder and present their innovative solution as his own

Is “Steal someone's thunder” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Steal someone's thunder” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Steal someone's thunder” effectively in context?

You can use "Steal Someone's Thunder" to describe a situation where someone takes credit for someone else's idea or achievement, overshadowing their contribution. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this idiom effectively:

1Workplace
He always tries to steal someone's thunder by presenting their ideas as his own.
2Teamwork
She was furious when her coworker stole her thunder and received all the praise for her hard work.
3Leadership
The CEO was known for stealing his employees' thunder and claiming their successes as his own.

Similar phrases to “Steal someone's thunder”:

Take the wind out of someone's sails

To diminish someone's enthusiasm or success by outshining them or taking away their advantage

Example

Her unexpected promotion took the wind out of her coworker's sails.

Ride on someone's coattails

To benefit from someone else's success or achievements without making much effort oneself

Example

He always tries to ride on his colleague's coattails to get ahead.

Piggyback on someone's idea

To use someone else's idea as a basis for one's own, without giving proper credit

Example

She piggybacked on her teammate's idea and presented it as her own.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Steal someone's thunder” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Steal Someone's Thunder" can be traced back to the 18th century. It comes from a play called 'The Conscious Lovers' written by Irish playwright John Dennis in 1709. In the play, Dennis used a sound effect to simulate thunder, which was a groundbreaking technique at the time. However, shortly after the play's debut, another playwright named Richard Brinsley Sheridan used the same sound effect in his play 'The Rivals,' effectively stealing Dennis' thunder. This incident gave rise to the idiom, which means taking credit for someone else's idea or achievement.

Is “Steal someone's thunder” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Steal Someone's Thunder" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to express frustration or disappointment when someone takes credit for their ideas or achievements.

What tone does “Steal someone's thunder” have?

"Steal Someone's Thunder" conveys a tone of annoyance or resentment. It implies that someone is unfairly claiming credit for someone else's work, which can be frustrating and demoralizing.

Can “Steal someone's thunder” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Steal Someone's Thunder" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a widely recognized idiom that accurately captures the concept of taking credit for someone else's idea or achievement. You can use it in casual conversations with friends or colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional writing.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He tried to steal my thunder by presenting my idea as his own.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Don't steal my thunder!' to express frustration when someone tries to take credit for your work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

appropriate
plagiarize
copy
take credit for
claim as one's own