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 floral notes of extra-virgin olive oil linger in the background, which is why a good quality oil is key in this recipe (nothing too expensive or peppery though).
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
In it, jurors could hear Read screaming in the background and portions of the 911 call, the same that was played in court in its entirety when the woman who made the call, Jennifer McCabe, was on the stand.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025
There was singing and screaming going on in the background during that sequence, and flares and lasers were going off.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
In the photo, Justin was seen in the background sitting outdoors with his mouth on what appeared to be a bong as his friend and Australian singer-songwriter and music producer Eddie Benjamin played a guitar inside the house.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
In it, jurors could hear Read screaming in the background and portions of the 911 call, the same that was played in court in its entirety when the woman who made the call, Jennifer McCabe, was on the stand.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025
There was singing and screaming going on in the background during that sequence, and flares and lasers were going off.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
In the photo, Justin was seen in the background sitting outdoors with his mouth on what appeared to be a bong as his friend and Australian singer-songwriter and music producer Eddie Benjamin played a guitar inside the house.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 May 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 18 May. 2025.
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