arrière-scène
The English verb "upstage" can be translated into French as arrière-scène.
In French, the concept of upstaging, drawing attention away from others, can be expressed through several different phrases. While arrière-scène provides a direct way to refer to the concept, you might also use terms that describe overshadowing someone or taking precedence over them.
Meaning: to draw attention away from others (verb)
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase depends on the context: Voler la vedette is used when someone is deliberately stealing the spotlight, whereas Éclipser and Prendre le pas sur are used to describe the act of overshadowing or surpassing someone. Voler la vedette is informal.
Did you know?
- While English uses the physical position of the stage to describe 'upstaging', the French verb éclipser uses an astronomical metaphor, meaning 'to eclipse'.
- If you want to say someone is 'stealing the spotlight', the French idiom voler la vedette uses the word vedette, which specifically refers to a celebrity or a star, rather than just a generic light.
- The phrase prendre le pas sur implies a physical sense of stepping over or overtaking someone, rather than just a visual overshadowing.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are discussing a theater rehearsal.
- ChloéGabriel, tu as encore volé la vedette !Gabriel, you stole the show again!
- GabrielJe ne voulais pas te mettre en arrière-scène, Chloé.I didn't want to upstage you, Chloé.
- ChloéMais tu as parlé beaucoup trop fort.But you spoke much too loudly.
- GabrielDésolé, je vais faire plus attention.Sorry, I will be more careful.
