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Synonyms

in the limelight

Idioms  

  1. Also, in the spotlight. At the center of public attention or notoriety. For example, John loves being in the limelight, or The reporters made sure the attractive new actress would be in the spotlight. Both terms come from the theater and allude to focusing light on an important person, the first from a lighting device used from about 1840 on, the second from the early 1900s. Also see in the public eye; steal the show.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“My God, the Nazis knew how to put themselves in the limelight and present themselves,” said Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal

The sisters have always been said to be close to the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex and have shared what it is like to grow up in the limelight.

From BBC

But some believe they are reaping the consequences of putting their family in the limelight to benefit the brand.

From BBC

It ended with Root in the limelight - should that be floodlight? - once again delivering when his team and his country needed him.

From BBC

"The way you look aesthetically and fuelling as an athlete are two conflicting ideals. That's hard for anybody in the limelight."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.