Welcome to our exploration of dramatic idioms! Idioms are phrases that mean something different from what the words actually say. They make language fun and colorful. Today, we’re diving into idioms that include the word “dramatic” or carry a dramatic theme. Let’s learn how they’re used in everyday English!
Dramatic Idioms
Here are 20 dramatic idioms in English.
1. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck
Example: Break a leg in your audition tomorrow!
2. Make a scene
Meaning: Cause a public disturbance
Example: He made a scene at the party.
3. Steal the show
Meaning: Get all the attention
Example: She stole the show with her speech.
4. Chew the scenery
Meaning: Overact dramatically
Example: He really chewed the scenery in that role.
5. In the limelight
Meaning: Center of attention
Example: She’s always in the limelight.
6. Behind the scenes
Meaning: Working secretly
Example: They worked behind the scenes.
7. Not miss a beat
Meaning: Continue smoothly
Example: He didn’t miss a beat during the chaos.
8. Under the spotlight
Meaning: Center of public attention
Example: The actor was under the spotlight.
9. Play second fiddle
Meaning: Be less important
Example: He’s tired of playing second fiddle.
10. Pull the strings
Meaning: Control from behind
Example: She knows how to pull the strings.
11. Raise the curtain
Meaning: Begin something
Example: Let’s raise the curtain on our event!
12. Bring down the house
Meaning: Impress greatly
Example: His joke brought down the house.
13. Exit stage left
Meaning: Leave unobtrusively
Example: He exited stage left after the speech.
14. Steal one’s thunder
Meaning: Take someone’s limelight
Example: She stole my thunder with her announcement.
15. On cue
Meaning: At the perfect time
Example: She arrived on cue for dinner.
16. Cast a shadow
Meaning: Overshadow
Example: His success casts a shadow on mine.
17. Upstage someone
Meaning: Divert attention from another
Example: He upstaged me at the meeting.
18. Face the music
Meaning: Accept consequences
Example: It’s time to face the music.
19. Take center stage
Meaning: Become the focus
Example: The issue took center stage at the meeting.
20. Set the stage
Meaning: Prepare the groundwork
Example: This sets the stage for future talks.
