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scene
create a scene
To create a loud, typically angry disturbance or display in public, such that it draws attention to those involved. Robert created a scene in the store when they refused to refund him for the broken television. My parents always create a scene with their fighting wherever we go.
arrive (up)on the scene
1. To reach a destination, usually as something is happening there. When did the police arrive on the scene? By the time I arrived upon the scene, Kate and Jen were already arguing.
2. slang To come into existence or to be born. Funk music arrived on the scene in the 1960s. We are overjoyed to announced that our baby daughter arrived on the scene at 11:37 last night.
arrive (up)on the scene (of something)
and arrive at the scene (of something)to reach the location of an event in progress. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on and at.) The police arrived on the scene of the crime. They arrived upon the scene of a frightening accident. What did they do when they arrived at the scene?
behind the scenes
without receiving credit or fame; out of public view. (Referring originally to those who worked on a theatrical piece but do not appear on the stage.) The people who worked behind the scenes are the real heroes of this project. I worked behind the scenes in the play. We should thank the people who are behind the scenes of our success.
burst onto the scene
Fig. to appear suddenly in a location. When Charles burst onto the scene, no one was prepared for the news he brought. The police suddenly burst onto the scene and arrested everyone in the room.
burst (up)on the scene
to appear suddenly somewhere; to enter or arrive suddenly some place. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The police suddenly burst upon the scene. They burst on the scene and took control.
come on the scene
and arrive on the scene 1. Lit. to arrive at a place. When we came on the scene, the ambulances were already there. The police arrived on the scene and began directing traffic.
2. Fig. to become part of a situation. She thought she was in love with Harry until Bob came on the scene.
make a scene
and create a sceneFig. to make a public display or disturbance. When John found a fly in his drink, he started to create a scene. Oh, John, please don't make a scene. Just forget about it.
make the scene
1. S/. to attend an event. We plan to make the scene, but we may be a bit late. I hope everybody can make the scene.
2. Sl. to understand a situation; to appreciate the situation. I can't quite make the scene, but it looks like Willie punched the guy over here. Then he moved to the window over here, and that's when the woman across the street saw him. I can make the scene. It's just like you said, except Willie came in and found the guy laid out on the floor.
on the scene
Fig. available or present where something is happening or where something has happened. The ambulance was on the scene almost immediately. I wasn't on the scene when it happened.
burst onto the scene
to suddenly become famous Marsalis burst onto the scene in the early 1980s and proved that jazz could have its own superstars.
make a scene
to be loud and rude with other people or in public My father made a scene, then raced upstairs, slamming the door so hard that the window broke.
make the scene
to be active in a social activity She hopes to be behind the wheel, making the scene with her friends, after she gets her driver's license.
on the scene
in a place where something is happening Reporters arrived on the scene within minutes of the explosion. The US commander on the scene has requested 2,000 more troops.
set the scene (for something)
1. to make something possible or likely to happen The recent resignation of two cabinet members has set the scene for a pre-election crisis.
2. to describe a situation so that people can understand what is happening Let me just set the scene briefly and my colleague will add some details later.
behind the scenes
quietly, in a way that does not attract attention Diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the talks.
behind the scenes
if something happens behind the scenes, it happens secretly, especially when something else is happening publicly Diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the peace talks.
set the scene
to describe a situation where something is going to happen soon First, let's set the scene - it was a cold dark night with a strong wind blowing...
set the scene for something
if you set the scene for something, you make it possible or likely to happen The recent resignation of two government ministers has set the scene for a pre-election crisis.
behind the scenes
In secret or private, away from public view, as in
His struggle for the top position took place strictly behind the scenes. This term alludes to the various activities that go on behind the curtain in theaters, out of the audience's view. [Late 1700s] Also see
behind closed doors.
make a scene
Also, create a scene; make an uproar. Make a public disturbance or excited emotional display. For example, Joan made a scene when the restaurant lost her dinner reservation, or Ted made an uproar over losing his luggage. Make a scene was first recorded in 1831; the variant employs uproar in the sense of "a noisy commotion," a usage first recorded in 1548.
make the scene
Put in an appearance, take part in an event, as in I'll miss most of the party, but I hope to make the scene before midnight. This expression employs scene in the sense of "a place where an action occurs." [Slang; mid-1900s]
on the scene, be
Also, arrive or come on the scene . Be or arrive where an action or event occurs, as in They won't have a wild party because their parents will be on the scene, or Once Bob arrives on the scene, you can expect fireworks. Alluding to the theatrical scene, where a drama is being played, this phrase has been used more loosely since the early 1700s.
set the scene for
Also, set the stage for. Provide the underlying basis or background for, make likely or inevitable, as in Their fights about money set the scene for a divorce, or The comptroller's assessment of the firm's finances set the stage for a successful bond issue . These expressions allude to arranging a play's actors and properties on a theatrical stage. The first term dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the late 1800s.
heavy scene
n. a serious state of affairs; an emotionally charged situation. Man, that meeting was really a heavy scene.
make the scene
1. tv. to attend an event. (see also
scene.)
I hope everybody can make the scene. 2. tv. to understand a situation; to appreciate the situation. (see also
make.)
I can’t quite make the scene, but it looks like Sam punched the guy over here. Then he moved to the window over here, and that’s when the old dame across the street saw him. scene
(sin)1. n. a place; a setting. (see also
make the scene.)
I need a different scene. Life is too hectic here. 2. n. the drug-use environment; the drug scene. The longer you spend in a scene like this, the harder it is to sober up and go straight.
3. n. one’s preference. (see also
bag.)
This nine-to-five stuff just isn’t my scene. I quit. make the scene
Slang 1. To put in an appearance: made the scene at the party.
2. To participate in a specified activity: made the drug scene.
behind the scenes
1. Backstage.
2. Out of public view; in secret.
set the scene
/stage for To provide the underlying basis for: saber rattling that set the stage for war.