steal someone's thunder

Meaning

This expression means to take the attention, praise, or excitement away from someone else, usually by doing or saying something first. It is often used when someone prematurely shares another person's good news or outshines them at their own event. The tone can range from mildly annoyed to frustrated.

Examples

• I didn't want to steal her thunder, so I waited until after her wedding to announce my pregnancy.

  I didn't want to steal her thunder, so I waited until after her wedding to announce my pregnancy.

• My coworker stole my thunder by presenting my project ideas to the boss before I could.

  My coworker stole my thunder by presenting my project ideas to the boss before I could.

• She was about to announce her promotion, but her brother stole her thunder with his engagement news.

  She was about to announce her promotion, but her brother stole her thunder with his engagement news.

• Don't steal his thunder; let him tell the story himself.

  Don't steal his thunder; let him tell the story himself.

• I felt like I was stealing her thunder when I wore a similar dress to her party.

  I felt like I was stealing her thunder when I wore a similar dress to her party.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He stole my lightning by telling everyone my secret.

  ✓ He stole my thunder by telling everyone my secret.

  The idiom specifically uses 'thunder', not 'lightning' or 'storm', despite the weather association.

• ✗ I don't want to steal your thunder praise.

  ✓ I don't want to steal your thunder.

  The phrase 'steal someone's thunder' already implies taking the praise or attention; adding extra nouns like 'praise' or 'glory' is redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I wanted to announce my engagement, but my sister decided to ___ by announcing hers first.

  💡 Take the attention away from me.

  Show answer

  steal my thunder

• Let him make his own announcement; don't ___.

  💡 Don't take away his moment of glory.

  Show answer

  steal his thunder