take a back seat

idiomatic 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

That data often takes a back seat to something much more essential: clarity, presence and the ability to connect. —Lynn Smith, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

For everything else, the government is taking a back seat. —Isabella M. Weber, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025

The historic nature of the governor’s race takes a back seat Irrespective of whom the Republican candidate is, Virginia voters will elect their first female governor in November. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2025

Also last night: Apologies to the NHL Western Conference final, which took a back seat to the theater above. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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