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

Nevertheless, Padilla and others have said that wave energy had taken a back seat to other forms of alternative energy for some time. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025

This was a client-friendly collection and the vintage Chanel logo-ism that’s been all over Instagram can take a back seat to a more mature, minimal and fresh collection. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025

As bold colors take a back seat, this simple neutral is steering paint trends in a more calm, timeless direction. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025

The Panthers’ offense was able to take a back seat of sorts with the defense dominating the NFC South rivals. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 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