taking the limelight

USAGE SUMMARY

'taking the limelight' is a valid phrase which can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something that draws attention away from other people or things, in a positive or negative way. For example: "The new CEO was so charismatic that he ended up taking the limelight away from the rest of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But after the meeting I went up to him, introduced myself, and apologized for taking the limelight.

The New York Times

As ever, Del Naja and Marshall are more comfortable skulking in the shadows than taking the limelight.

The Guardian - Music

It turns out Kobe subscribes to the ethos of 'real recognize real', and is OK with the next generation of superstars taking the limelight.

The Guardian - Sport

Poulter and Rose benefit from being close friends and perhaps Rose also benefits from Poulter being a more flamboyant character, taking the limelight his direction.

The Guardian - Sport

The show, held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, N.Y., will feature hot rods, customs, compacts and pickups on Saturday, with unmodified antique and classic cars (anything from 1988 back) taking the limelight on Sunday.

The New York Times

In the early 1950s Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin became the party's most ardent anticommunist, taking the limelight while attempting to expose communists who he claimed were in the American government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He had taken the limelight.

Independent

Instead Fleming took the limelight.

The Guardian

"It takes the limelight away from the horse," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It takes the limelight away from them," Dowling said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Then you have ambitious young players who want to take the limelight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking the limelight" when you want to describe a situation where someone or something attracts significant attention, often at the expense of others.

Common error

Avoid using "taking the limelight" when the intention is to describe a collaborative or shared success. Instead, consider phrases like "sharing the spotlight" to accurately reflect the collaborative nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking the limelight" functions as a verbal phrase or gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in describing the action of drawing attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking the limelight" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered phrase used to describe attracting significant attention, often to the exclusion of others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in News & Media contexts, with less frequent usage in more formal or academic settings. While the phrase itself is valid, it is important to consider alternatives like "stealing the show" or "hogging the spotlight" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, and to avoid using it in situations where collaboration or shared credit is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stealing the show

Implies a more dramatic and possibly unintended act of outshining others.

hogging the spotlight

Suggests a selfish and deliberate act of dominating attention.

grabbing attention

A more neutral term for attracting notice, without necessarily overshadowing others.

becoming the center of attention

Emphasizes the state of being noticed rather than the act of taking it.

dominating the scene

Implies control and influence in addition to prominence.

overshadowing others

Focuses on the negative impact of one's prominence on those around them.

drawing all eyes

Highlights the visual aspect of attracting attention.

commanding attention

Suggests authority and respect in addition to being noticed.

outshining everyone

Emphasizes superiority and excellence in attracting attention.

becoming prominent

Focuses on achieving recognition and importance.

FAQs

How can I use "taking the limelight" in a sentence?

You can use "taking the limelight" to describe someone or something that is attracting a lot of attention. For example, "The new product launch is "taking the limelight" away from the older models."

What are some alternatives to "taking the limelight"?

Alternatives include "stealing the show", "hogging the spotlight", or "grabbing attention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "take the limelight" or "taking the limelight"?

Both "take the limelight" and "taking the limelight" are correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "Take the limelight" is an infinitive phrase, while "taking the limelight" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What's the difference between "taking the limelight" and "sharing the spotlight"?

"Taking the limelight" implies that someone is attracting attention away from others, possibly unintentionally or even selfishly. "Sharing the spotlight", conversely, means that attention is being distributed among multiple people or things.