upstage

/' pi / Cách viết khác : (uppity) /' piti/ (upstage) /' p'steid /

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The word "upstage" can have several meanings depending on its usage. Let's break it down in a simple way.

Definitions:

1. As an adjective:

   • Meaning: When someone is described as "upstage," they seem remote or distant in their manner. They may appear aloof or dignified, often standing apart from others.
   • Example: "He had an upstage attitude, making it hard for others to connect with him."

2. As an adverb:

   • Meaning: "Upstage" refers to the back part of a stage in a theater. When someone moves upstage, they move toward the back of the stage.
   • Example: "The dancers were directed to move upstage for the final scene."

3. As a noun:

   • Meaning: "Upstage" refers to the rear part of a stage in a theater.
   • Example: "The actors waited upstage before their entrance."

4. As a verb:

   • Meaning: To "upstage" someone means to draw attention away from them and onto yourself, often in a way that makes the other person seem less important.
   • Example: "When the dog entered the stage, he upstaged the actress with his cute antics."

Usage Instructions:

• Use "upstage" when talking about theater or performances, or to describe someone who is aloof or trying to take attention away from someone else.

Advanced Usage:

• In theatrical terms, "upstage" can also be used in directing to instruct actors on where to position themselves during a performance.
• In social contexts, upstaging can be a negative action where someone tries to overshadow another person, especially in conversations or social settings.

Word Variants:

• Upstaging (noun/verb): The act of upstaging someone.
• Upstage Left/Right (adverb): Directions used in theater to indicate specific locations on stage.

Different Meanings:

• In a broader sense, it can also refer to treating someone with snobbishness or putting them in their place.

Synonyms:

• For the verb form: overshadow, outshine, eclipse.
• For the adjective form: aloof, distant, superior.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no direct idioms that include "upstage," but you might say someone is "stealing the spotlight," which has a similar meaning.
• Phrasal verb: "Move upstage" can be used to describe the action of moving toward the back of the stage.

Academic

Adjective

1. remote in manner
   • stood apart with aloof dignity
   • a distant smile
   • he was upstage with strangers
2. of the back half of a stage
   • she crossed to the upstage chair forcing the lead to turn his back to the audience

Adverb

1. at or toward the rear of the stage
   • the dancers were directed to move upstage

Noun

1. the rear part of the stage

Verb

1. steal the show, draw attention to oneself away from someone else
   • When the dog entered the stage, he upstaged the actress
2. move upstage, forcing the other actors to turn away from the audience
3. treat snobbishly, put in one's place

Synonyms

• aloof
• distant