How do you say “Steal someone's thunder” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un, which literally means “to cut the grass under someone's foot”. English speakers use steal someone's thunder to mean take attention or praise away from someone else by doing or saying what they planned to do first. This is the most authentic French idiom for preempting someone's move or announcement. When the nuance is strictly about stealing the limelight rather than beating someone to the punch, 'voler la vedette' is preferred. It is neutral, informal and common in everyday French.
Closest natural French
couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un
/ku.pe lɛʁb su lə pje də kɛl.kœ̃/
- Literal meaning
- “to cut the grass under someone's foot”
- Register
- neutral, informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
85 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
The English idiom "steal someone's thunder" dates back to the 18th-century playwright John Dennis, who invented a theatrical sound-effect machine for theatrical thunder, only to find rivals copying it in another production. In English, the phrase carries a dual sense: preempting someone by doing or revealing something first, and thereby robbing them of their rightful attention, applause, or glory.
French separates these two ideas rather than packaging them in a single theatrical metaphor. "Couper l'herbe sous le pied" (which dates back to the 17th century and implies mowing pasture before someone can harvest or graze on it) captures the preemptive nature of acting first to foil someone's moment. If you want to highlight the loss of applause or limelight rather than the preemptive timing, a native speaker will pivot to "voler la vedette à quelqu'un."
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
voler la vedette à quelqu'un
Literally: “to steal the star from someone”
Focuses on stealing the spotlight, applause, or attention rather than preempting an action.
voler la politesse à quelqu'un
Literally: “to steal politeness from someone”
A slightly more literary way to say you beat someone to doing or taking something.
Don't translate it literally
voler le tonnerre de quelqu'un
This is an unidiomatic literal calque from English that makes no sense in French.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in French, not as expressions.
In context
English
I was about to announce my promotion, but Sarah stole my thunder by sharing her engagement.
French
J'allais annoncer ma promotion, mais Sarah m'a coupé l'herbe sous le pied en annonçant ses fiançailles.
English
Don't steal his thunder, let him present his own project to the board.
French
Ne lui coupe pas l'herbe sous le pied, laisse-le présenter lui-même son projet au comité.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-11