Example: El cantante está en el candelero después del concierto.
Definition
"Estar en el candelero" means to be in the spotlight or to be the center of attention, especially after an event or achievement. For example, a singer who has just performed well might be described as "estar en el candelero" because they are currently very popular and talked about.
Translations
to be in the spotlight
in de schijnwerpers staan
estar en el punt de mira
être sous les projecteurs
im Rampenlicht stehen
Etymology
The phrase "estar en el candelero" literally means 'to be on the candlestick.' It originates from times when a candlestick was placed in a prominent position to illuminate important people or things. Being 'on the candlestick' metaphorically came to mean being in a prominent, noticeable position or receiving public attention.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Estar en el candelero" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C2) - parte 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to be in the spotlight