take a back seat
idiomatic phrase
variants
or take a backseat
: to have or assume a secondary position or status : to be or become less important, active, or powerful
Howard loved directing "more than I even thought I would," and his acting career has taken a back seat ever since.—
Newsweek
NewsweekThat's why Bryant's willingness to tone down his game is significant. It doesn't mean, however, that he's content to take a backseat indefinitely.—Phil Taylor
—often used with toPhil TaylorPhysically and emotionally, these guys take a back seat to no one.—Mark Vancil
Mark VancilExamples of take a back seat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the Bentonville boom takes a back seat to the real reason behind Walmart’s headquarter transformation.
—Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024
The sense of smell, which usually takes a back seat, rose in public consciousness.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 30 May 2024
But, in this piece, the interviews take a back seat, with just a few snippets of Jones’ life history thrown in: this essay is on friendship.
—Longreads, 16 May 2024
Pregnancy support bands Glamour takes a back seat with this essential, but your posture and ligaments will thank me later.
—Joanna Carrigan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2023
Frank’s gaga young mistress is there along with his second wife, a demanding diva unaccustomed to taking a back seat to anyone.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Though Australia’s national collection originated in the 1910s, the gallery’s establishment took a back seat to other political priorities until 1967, and the building was only completed—and dedicated by Elizabeth II—in 1982.
—Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
And yet all of his hits past, present and future can take a back seat to a sunny Florida day in 2008 that was engineered by his pal, former Yankee great Derek Jeter.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Elaborate nail art has taken a back seat as celebrities fall for the classic French manicure all over again.
—Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Glamour, 3 May 2024
Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024
The sense of smell, which usually takes a back seat, rose in public consciousness.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 30 May 2024
But, in this piece, the interviews take a back seat, with just a few snippets of Jones’ life history thrown in: this essay is on friendship.
—Longreads, 16 May 2024
Pregnancy support bands Glamour takes a back seat with this essential, but your posture and ligaments will thank me later.
—Joanna Carrigan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2023
Frank’s gaga young mistress is there along with his second wife, a demanding diva unaccustomed to taking a back seat to anyone.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Though Australia’s national collection originated in the 1910s, the gallery’s establishment took a back seat to other political priorities until 1967, and the building was only completed—and dedicated by Elizabeth II—in 1982.
—Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
And yet all of his hits past, present and future can take a back seat to a sunny Florida day in 2008 that was engineered by his pal, former Yankee great Derek Jeter.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Elaborate nail art has taken a back seat as celebrities fall for the classic French manicure all over again.
—Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Glamour, 3 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take a back seat.' 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 take a back seat
Cite this Entry
“Take a back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20back%20seat. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share