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
With the ocean in the background, Allen proposed to Steinfeld in front of a flower arch and among dozens of candles.
—
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Orange flames can be seen blazing in the background as crews attempt to put them out.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Just kind of happy to be there, make the pictures in the background.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Picture again the manager in her office, Slack pulsing in the background and her calendar stretched to the edges with obligations, the work that matters most still waiting.
—Jon Rosemberg, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Orange flames can be seen blazing in the background as crews attempt to put them out.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Just kind of happy to be there, make the pictures in the background.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Picture again the manager in her office, Slack pulsing in the background and her calendar stretched to the edges with obligations, the work that matters most still waiting.
—Jon Rosemberg, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 19 Dec. 2025.
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