take a back seat

phrase

variants or take a backseat

: to have or assume a secondary position or status : to be or become less important, active, or powerful

Howard loved directing "more than I even thought I would," and his acting career has taken a back seat ever since.

—Newsweek

That's why Bryant's willingness to tone down his game is significant. It doesn't mean, however, that he's content to take a backseat indefinitely.

—Phil Taylor

—often used with to

Physically and emotionally, these guys take a back seat to no one.

—Mark Vancil

Examples of take a back seat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once the season starts, all other members of the front office take a back seat. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

All three shows feature protagonists emblematic of downwardly mobile generational malaise, but any broader commentary takes a back seat to human relationships and, of course, jokes. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Becoming ‘America’s Mayor’ After the attacks, Giuliani’s personal woes took a back seat as a grieving city looked for guidance. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

In Other Climate News Seems climate change has recently taken a back seat in Democrats’ political messaging, according to this story from the Associated Press. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take a back seat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete