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Upstaging: meaning, definitions and examples

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upstaging

 

[ ˈʌpˌsteɪdʒɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

theater performance

Upstaging refers to the act of diverting attention away from someone else, particularly in a performance setting. It often involves a performer positioning themselves in a way that draws focus from others, especially during plays or performances, where this can disrupt the intended dynamics of the scene. This action can have a negative impact on the overall performance, as it undermines the collaborative nature of theatrical work. Upstaging can occur intentionally or unintentionally, but it is generally frowned upon among actors.

Synonyms

distracting, outshining, overshadowing

Examples of usage

  • She upstaged her co-star during the final act.
  • The lead actor was worried about being upstaged by the new performer.
  • His tendency to upstage others made rehearsals challenging.

Translations

Translations of the word "upstaging" in other languages:

🇵🇹 upstaging

🇮🇳 upstaging

🇩🇪 upstaging

🇮🇩 upstaging

🇺🇦 upstaging

🇵🇱 upstaging

🇯🇵 upstaging

🇫🇷 upstaging

🇪🇸 upstaging

🇹🇷 upstaging

🇰🇷 upstaging

🇸🇦 upstaging

🇨🇿 upstaging

🇸🇰 upstaging

🇨🇳 upstaging

🇸🇮 upstaging

🇮🇸 upstaging

🇰🇿 upstaging

🇬🇪 upstaging

🇦🇿 upstaging

🇲🇽 upstaging

Etymology

The term 'upstage' originates from the world of theater, where the stage is traditionally divided into upstage (the back part of the stage) and downstage (the front part of the stage). The notion of being 'upstage' relates to the physical positioning of actors; when one actor stands in an upstage position, they are further from the audience and often behind other actors. This can create a visual hierarchy on stage, where the upstage actor risks overshadowing those downstage. The term evolved to describe the act of drawing attention away from other performers, encapsulating the idea of competition for focus and prominence within a performance. Over time, 'upstaging' has transcended the theater, finding its way into everyday language as a metaphor for any situation where someone seeks to outshine or distract from another's efforts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,775, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.