in the background
idiom
: in a position that avoids attracting attention
He was a shy man who always tried to keep/stay in the background.
Examples of in the background in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the beginning of the clip, Priyanka filmed herself sitting on the sand outside of a resort as Malti was seen in the background playing in the water nearby.
—
Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
Just visible in the background, chatting animatedly, was Nicole Avant.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
But even as the prospect of glory draws ever closer, there will be a buzz, a noise in the background, an inescapable reminder that real life goes on, that the summer ends, that this is not the part of the game that really matters.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 7 June 2024
Watch live: SpaceX launches Starship/Super Heavy Booster on fourth test flight
Watch on
As Starship touched down in the Indian Ocean, cheers erupted in the background of the broadcast.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the background 
Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
Just visible in the background, chatting animatedly, was Nicole Avant.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
But even as the prospect of glory draws ever closer, there will be a buzz, a noise in the background, an inescapable reminder that real life goes on, that the summer ends, that this is not the part of the game that really matters.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 7 June 2024
Watch live: SpaceX launches Starship/Super Heavy Booster on fourth test flight
Watch on
As Starship touched down in the Indian Ocean, cheers erupted in the background of the broadcast.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the background
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in the background.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in the background
Cite this Entry
“In the background.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20background. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share