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Definition of upstage - 3 dictionary results

up⋅stage

[uhp-steyj] adverb, adjective, verb, -staged, -stag⋅ing, noun
–adverb
1. on or toward the back of the stage.
–adjective
2. of, pertaining to, or located at the back of the stage.
3. haughtily aloof; supercilious.
–verb (used with object)
4. to overshadow (another performer) by moving upstage and forcing the performer to turn away from the audience.
5. to outdo professionally, socially, etc.
6. to behave snobbishly toward.
–noun
7. the rear half of the stage.
8. any stage position to the rear of another.

Origin:
1905–10; up- + stage
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To upstage
up·stage   (ŭp'stāj')   
adv.  Toward, at, or on the rear part of a stage.
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to the rear part of a stage.

  2. Informal Haughty; aloof.

n.   (ŭp'stāj')
The rear part of a stage, away from the audience.
tr.v.   (ŭp-stāj') up·staged, up·stag·ing, up·stag·es
  1. To distract attention from (another performer) by moving upstage, thus forcing the other performer to face away from the audience.

  2. To divert attention or praise from; force out of the spotlight: a vice president who repeatedly tried to upstage the president.

  3. To treat haughtily.

up·stag'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

upstage 
1918 (adj.), 1921 (v.); the notion is of drawing attention to oneself (and away from a fellow actor) by moving upstage -- to the rear of the stage -- so that the other actor must face away from the audience. The noun upstage "back of the stage" is recorded from 1870.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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