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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Kaidon Salter Colorado Buffaloes QB Kaidon Salter is back in the starting lineup, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, after taking a back seat to Ryan Staub in last week’s loss to the Houston Cougars. Erik Buchinger, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Concerns about stubborn inflation have taken a back seat for now, though, to worries about a weakening job market. Scott Horsley, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025 The 1980s found Redford refocusing his energies with acting and filmmaking taking a back seat to his very public activism on behalf of Native Americans and environmental protection and his leadership of Sundance. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take a back seat

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take a back seat was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Take a back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20back%20seat. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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