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

As Aleister gets the rock star treatment, the band takes a back seat as their friendship is put to the test. —Giana Levy, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025

Stocks jumped for the second straight week and reached record highs Friday as Washington trade and shutdown drama took a back seat to cooler inflation data and stronger earnings. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025

Has to take a back seat to the man’s brilliance. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025

Mowing will typically take a back seat in the colder months as some grass varieties go dormant while others slow down growth. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 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