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

Why did the Eddie Murphy who had positively ruled in the ’80s end up taking a back seat to a Murphy who was a far more complacent talent? —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025

Sometimes, the university would really take a back seat. —Ben Pickman, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Music takes a back seat, allowing the character’s emotions to play on screen. —Daron James, IndieWire, 15 Nov. 2025

The development of character has taken a back seat to plot mechanics as the season reaches its climax. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 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