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

And unlike Android rivals Samsung and Google, which have leaned into artificial intelligence on their smartphone software, Apple Intelligence is expected to take a back seat during Tuesday’s event, even as perceptions continue that the company lags in AI. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025

Unfortunately, in the United States, common sense often takes a back seat, and our litigation system is abused to turn personal injuries into financial windfalls. —Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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

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