"Steal someone's thunder"

In 1709, English playwright John Dennis produced a tragedy that closed after a few performances. Only one element stirred the audience: thunder sound effects more realistic than any heard before on the stage.
Later, Dennis went to the theater and discovered that his sound effects had been appropriated for another production. "See how the rascals use me" he exclaimed. "They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder."