BBC Learning English - The English We Speak / Steal someone's thunder

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Introduction

Feifei wants to share some good news but Rob tells his good news first. Is he attention seeking? We can learn an authentic English phrase that describes getting attention and praise that someone else deserves.

Transcript

Feifei
This is The English We Speak with me, Feifei...

Rob
…and me, Rob.

Feifei
Rob, I’ve got some very exciting news to share with you and our listeners.

Rob
Well, can I just tell everyone my news first?

Feifei
Go on then.

Rob
Well, I passed my grade one guitar exam!

Feifei
Oh, well done, Rob. But you’ve stolen my thunder now!

Rob
I’m not a thief, Feifei – I was just telling everyone my good news.

Feifei
I’m not calling you a thief, although you are stealing my attention! If you 'steal someone’s thunder', you take the attention away from the other person, usually to your own advantage. It also means you get the praise for something someone else has done. So, Rob, well done, enjoy the attention.

Rob
Thanks. Now, will these examples steal your thunder as well?!

Examples
Joe stole my thunder by announcing his promotion before I got to tell everyone about mine!

She’s always stealing my thunder by telling people our news before I do.

I was telling a joke and he just interrupted me to tell a different one. He always steals my thunder.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re learning about the phrase ‘to steal someone’s thunder’, which means to do something that takes the attention and praise away from someone else. So, Rob, you are now the focus of attention.

Rob
Why do you sound so angry?

Feifei
Well, I had some big news I wanted to share.

Rob
Go on then, tell everyone – share your important news.

Feifei
It’s just that I’ve been studying for years, I’ve passed my final exams and I am now a fully qualified brain surgeon.

Rob
Oh, I knew that. I saw the certificate on your desk. Yeah, well done.

Feifei
Thanks. Looks like you’ve stolen my thunder... again.

Rob
Bye.

Feifei
Bye.

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