in the limelight
Getting public attention
In the limelight means receiving public attention or being the center of interest: She's been in the limelight since her debut album.
The phrase comes from a type of stage lighting once used in theaters, which cast a bright white light on performers.
To be thrust into the limelight suggests sudden, sometimes unwelcome, public exposure.
- notorietyFame from misdeeds
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- stageRaised performance platform
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- showcaseCabinet for displaying items
all eyes on · admiration · stardom · prominence · scrutiny · reputation · glory · headlines · front page · acclaim · renown · influence · popularity · charisma · distinction · star power · center stage · act
- Fame Idiomscenter stage, household name, rising star, big name, A-list
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
in the limelightin the shadows
behind the scenes · in the background · under the radar · out of sight · invisible
in the limelightunknown
Not yet discovered
obscure · anonymous · forgotten · unrecognized · nameless
in the limelighton the sidelines
Not in the action
in the wings · peripheral · marginalized · sidelined · out of the picture
limelight, lime, light, limes, lights, lighted, lighting, lighter, lightest