Both "limelight" and "spotlight" come from the world of theater.

"Spotlight" is easy to understand. Spotlights are the bright lights used in a theatrical production. They shine light on the most important action in a play. It is where people should be looking.

For the history of "limelight," we turn to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Its explanation is more interesting.

A limelight is a lighting instrument. It was used in theaters to light the front of the stage. The light came from a fire. The fire was directed at a box filled with the mineral lime. Then a lens, a piece of glass, would concentrate the brightness, making the light more intense.

Merriam-Webster notes that Thomas Drummond, an engineer, invented limelight in 1816. He wanted to make boating safer by lighting dark coastlines. But limelight was too dangerous to be used in lighthouses. In fact, it is a wonder that more of those early theaters equipped with limelight did not burn to the ground.

When used as a noun, "limelight" and "spotlight" are interchangeable. One word can be used in place of the other. However, "spotlight" is probably the more common term.

The big difference is that English speakers use "spotlight" as both a noun and a verb. "Limelight" is only used as a noun. So you could not use "limelight" in these examples.

The teacher spotlighted a period of ancient history to his students.

While the owner of the company is in town, it is important to spotlight any problem that requires her attention.

Now, spotlight and limelight may have both come from the theater, but we use them everywhere.

The basketball player stole the limelight from her teammates with her amazing three-point shots.

A wealthy businessman did not want to be in the spotlight of the project and chose to remain in the background.

Situations, issues and problems can all be spotlighted or can all be in the limelight. Here are two examples:

The real estate agent made sure to spotlight the fact that the house was located in a safe neighborhood with highly-rated schools.

On the campaign trail, the politician’s personal scandals were very much in the limelight.

To be in the limelight or the spotlight means that you are the object of public attention. As the expression goes, ‘all eyes are on you.’ You have taken center stage. This is also a theater term.

In the theater, the center of the stage is usually a place everyone can see. The actor taking center stage is easy to recognize. However, that does not mean that the actor taking center stage can't be upstaged by another actor.

"Upstaged" means to direct attention away from something.

People can be upstaged.

For example, when two people are married, the bride is supposed to be in the limelight. She often wears a beautiful, white gown. It would be in very poor taste to upstage the bride by wearing something white and even more eye-catching. No one is supposed to upstage the bride!

An issue can also upstage another.

For example, let’s say the main issue of the parent-teacher meeting was supposed to be raising money for the school. But that issue was upstaged by the discovery that the principal was fired! All the parents wanted to know more about the scandal!

So, just remember, anything that has been upstaged is no longer center stage. It’s no longer in the limelight or spotlight.

stage – n. a raised platform : the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings
concentrate – v. to think about something : to give your attention to the thing you are doing, reading, etc.
background – n. a position that attracts little attention : used to describe something that occurs without requiring attention while something else is also occurring
upstaged – v. to take attention away from (someone or something else, such as another performer)
scandal – n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong