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

Harry and Markle's seating placement drew ire from online critics as well as New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose, who said Koufax shouldn’t take a back seat to anyone. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Equally illuminating are the candid, often unflattering, reflections of his exes (including Isabella Rossellini) and daughters, who for decades took a back seat to his art-making and addictions. —Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

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

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