The phrase "put someone/something in the shade" refers to a situation where someone or something appears significantly less successful or impressive in comparison to someone or something else. Some common synonyms for this phrase include "outshine," "outdo," "surpass," "outclass," and "eclipse." These words are often used to describe situations where one person or thing stands out as superior to others, such as a talented musician who outshines their peers or a product that surpasses its competitors in terms of quality. Essentially, any situation where one entity appears to cast a shadow over another could be described using one of these synonyms.