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

Curiosity for its own sake has taken a back seat. —Danika Wong, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025

Richardson also had a strong camp, but took a back seat to Scott, too. —Mike Kaye updated August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025

Creator Tony Gilroy was unafraid to expand the field in season two, with Andor himself often taking a back seat to the expansion of characters like Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), not to mention those within the Empire. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2025

Historical planning still has a place, but this should take a back seat to real-time learning. —Srikanth Ramachandran, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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