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 footage shows Ross approaching Good’s vehicle in the middle of the road as sirens blare in the background, while Good’s wife records the encounter nearby.
—
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
The new video begins with the ICE agent exiting his car and walking over to Good’s SUV, which is behind his, and blocking the road, as sirens blare in the background.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The video shows Campos deploy his Taser as three shots ring out in the background.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Additional crew members then rush in as a baby cries in the background, and alarms on medical equipment begin to sound.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
The new video begins with the ICE agent exiting his car and walking over to Good’s SUV, which is behind his, and blocking the road, as sirens blare in the background.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The video shows Campos deploy his Taser as three shots ring out in the background.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Additional crew members then rush in as a baby cries in the background, and alarms on medical equipment begin to sound.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 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 16 Jan. 2026.
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