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Meaning & use

off stage

adverb, adjective·Everyday

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UK/ˌɒf ˈsteɪdʒ/
US/ˌɔːf ˈsteɪdʒ/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparable

    In the area beside or behind a stage, out of the sight of the audience.

    Grammar: Follows a verb: she waited off stage.

    Patterns

    • wait off stage
    • go off stage

    The actors waited off stage until their cue.

    He stepped off stage to change his costume.

    A crash was heard off stage.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Located or happening in the hidden part of a theater, or not shown to the audience.

    Grammar: Usually hyphenated before a noun: an off-stage voice.

    Patterns

    • an off-stage voice
    • off-stage noise

    The off-stage voice belonged to the narrator.

    An off-stage scream scared the whole audience.

    Her off-stage life was quiet and private.

  3. adverbnot comparable

    In real life rather than in a performance, away from the public role of a performer.

    Grammar: Often contrasts with on stage: funny on stage but shy off stage.

    Patterns

    • on stage and off stage

    The comedian is quiet and thoughtful off stage.

    They were rivals on stage but close friends off stage.

    The singer is much less confident off stage.

Common combinations

wait off stage
The children waited off stage in a nervous line.
off-stage voice
An off-stage voice announced the next act.
exit off stage
The villain exits off stage left.
off-stage drama
The off-stage drama between the leads kept the gossip columns busy.
on and off stage
She is generous both on and off stage.

Synonyms and how they differ

backstage
Backstage names the working area behind the stage, whereas off stage can also be right at its side and just out of view.
in the wings
In the wings means waiting at the sides ready to enter, which is more specific than off stage.
offscreen
Offscreen is the film or television equivalent, used for what is not shown on camera rather than a theater stage.

Opposites

on stageonstage

Word family

stage noun
the platform where performers act
stage verb
to present or organize a performance or event
onstage adverb
on the stage in view of the audience
backstage adverb
in the area behind the stage

Commonly confused: off stage or off the stage?

off stage vs off the stage

Off the stage is used when someone physically leaves the platform, as in he jumped off the stage; off stage describes the hidden area or real life.

Practice

The actor is loud and cheerful in the play, but ___ he is shy and quiet.

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