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
Is Reyna also in the background of those spa scenes?
—
Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
Google Photos is testing a new feature that could significantly extend your battery life by preventing the app from constantly running big, power-hungry backups in the background, while still keeping your photos safe.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Tiffany-style chandeliers hang over the wooden bar as crooners like Martin and Frank Sinatra hum in the background.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026
Your dreams could be filled with messages now, and many things are being processed in the background of your mind.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
Google Photos is testing a new feature that could significantly extend your battery life by preventing the app from constantly running big, power-hungry backups in the background, while still keeping your photos safe.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Tiffany-style chandeliers hang over the wooden bar as crooners like Martin and Frank Sinatra hum in the background.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026
Your dreams could be filled with messages now, and many things are being processed in the background of your mind.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
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 25 Jan. 2026.
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