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

The self-laceration is done on Damon Albarn Time, though, as Idles’ usual anxious guitar rave-ups are slowed and stripped here to a skipping, reggae-ish crawl, as synths squeak in the background and Albarn offers support via his forever-distant, disembodied backing vocals. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025

While concerns about tech are weighing on the market, the prolonged US government shutdown is also lingering in the background. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

The family sat together in the living room, chatting about their day as Wheel of Fortune played in the background. —Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025

When the final number was finished, the three eldest boys came to the fore on the catwalk mini stage underneath a shower of confetti and took a bow, with Mom and Dad now in the background, applauding politely but proudly. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for in the background

• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground
• foreground