In the following question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom "To steal someone's thunder".

Introduction / Context:
This idiom based question asks for the meaning of the expression "To steal someone's thunder". Idioms like this appear frequently in spoken English, newspapers, and competitive exams. Understanding them requires familiarity with how native speakers use these phrases in typical real life situations, rather than a literal interpretation of the words.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: "To steal someone's thunder".
• Options describe different possible interpretations of that idiom.
• The context involves praise, credit, and timing of actions.

Concept / Approach:
"To steal someone's thunder" means to take attention, credit, or praise away from someone else, usually by using their idea or by acting before they have a chance to do so. It has a strong element of pre empting someone and receiving recognition that they were expecting. The correct option must convey both the idea of acting earlier and taking credit away.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the typical scenario: Person A plans to announce something or present an idea, but Person B reveals it first and gets the praise. We say that B "stole A's thunder". Step 2: Examine option (A): "To share the secret of a person just before that person was supposed to receive praise." This partially captures the timing but focuses on revealing a secret, not on doing the same job or using the same idea. Step 3: Examine option (B): "To defuse the ego of an egoistic person." This is unrelated to pre empting someone's success or credit. Step 4: Examine option (C): "To plagiarize work done by others." Plagiarism is copying work without permission, but the idiom specifically involves acting first and capturing the attention, which may or may not involve formal plagiarism. Step 5: Examine option (D): "To do a job before another person can do it and take away the credit." This best describes the situation where someone pre empts another's opportunity and captures the praise meant for that person. Step 6: Conclude that option (D) is the most accurate explanation of the idiom.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider an example: Anita was going to propose a new idea at the meeting, but Raj presented the same idea first. People praised Raj, and Anita felt that Raj had "stolen her thunder". Option (D) fits this story perfectly because Raj acted first and took the credit. Options (A) and (C) miss this combination of timing and recognition, and option (B) is irrelevant, confirming that option (D) is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option (A) focuses on revealing a secret rather than performing an action or presenting an idea ahead of someone else. Option (B) talks about reducing ego and is not connected to the idea of capturing someone else's praise. Option (C) refers to copying work but does not necessarily imply acting first or taking praise that was expected for another person.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse this idiom with general cheating or plagiarism, but the key element is pre emption and the diversion of attention or praise. Another pitfall is over focusing on the word "thunder" and imagining anger or noise. In idioms, literal images often have little to do with the actual meaning. Instead, remember concrete examples where one person announces another's idea or achievement first and thus "steals" the moment.

Final Answer:
"To steal someone's thunder" means to do a job before another person can do it and take away the credit.