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

There’s more to it than just being in the background. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025

The singer did everything from posing in a black bikini under a stunning waterfall, hiking in the jungle, and taking a dip in the pool with the beautiful St. Lucian landscape in the background. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 18 July 2025

In a post shared on July 9, fans in the comments section quickly noticed Thompson in the background. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 17 July 2025

Doute’s behavior on Vanderpump Rules — from sleeping with her best friend’s boyfriend (Jax) while Drive played in the background to punching James Kennedy at Scheana’s wedding — was so explosive that the United Nations should have stepped in to classify her as a weapon of mass destruction. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2025

Rhymes for in the background

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