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

Even though Abbott beat and raised its full-year outlook in the first quarter, the stock has drifted lower since the print and the fundamentals have taken a back seat due to baby formula litigation. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 13 July 2024

Within China, a gradually warming atmosphere took a back seat to concerns about clearing hazardous smog that blanketed major cities. —Lyric Li, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

Playing the mother of a troubled teen (Zen McGrath), Dern takes a back seat to Hugh Jackman, which doesn’t give her time to flesh out anything. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 8 May 2024

Free Daily and Monthly Horoscopes Read the full Taurus Daily Horoscope Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Let your ambition take a back seat. —USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above