make a cameo appearance

Meaning

This means to make a very brief, often surprise appearance in a movie, play, or TV show, usually by a well-known person or the creator of the work. These appearances are typically uncredited or kept secret until the release to surprise the audience.

Examples

• Stan Lee was famous for making a cameo appearance in almost every Marvel movie.

  Stan Lee was famous for making a cameo appearance in almost every Marvel movie.

• The director decided to make a cameo appearance as a waiter in the restaurant scene.

  The director decided to make a cameo appearance as a waiter in the restaurant scene.

• Fans cheered when the original actor made a cameo appearance in the sequel.

  Fans cheered when the original actor made a cameo appearance in the sequel.

• She only made a cameo appearance, but it was the highlight of the entire episode.

  She only made a cameo appearance, but it was the highlight of the entire episode.

• The pop star is set to make a cameo appearance in the season finale next week.

  The pop star is set to make a cameo appearance in the season finale next week.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He did a cameo appearance in the movie.

  ✓ He made a cameo appearance in the movie.

  The standard collocation is to 'make' a cameo appearance, not 'do' or 'have'.

• ✗ She made a cameo act in the show.

  ✓ She made a cameo appearance in the show.

  'Cameo appearance' is the fixed idiomatic expression; 'cameo act' is not commonly used.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The famous director loves to ___ in his own psychological thrillers.

  💡 Think of a brief, surprise appearance by a famous person.

  Show answer

  make a cameo appearance

• Did you see the former president ___ as himself in that sitcom?

  💡 Use the verb 'make'.

  Show answer

  make a cameo appearance