- in the spotlight
- in the spotlight1. Fig. in the beam of a spotlight, as on a stage. •
The singer was in the spotlight but the band was almost in the dark.
2. and in the limelight Fig. at the center of attention. (Limelight
refers to an obsolete type of spotlight, and the word occurs only in this phrase.) •John will do almost anything to get himself into the limelight.
•I love being in the spotlight.
•All elected officials spend a lot of time in the limelight.
* * *{adv. phr.} In the center of attention, with everybody watching what one is doing. * /It must be difficult for the President to be in the spotlight wherever he goes./ Compare: IN THE LIMELIGHT.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.