in the background
idiom
: in a position that avoids attracting attention
He was a shy man who always tried to keep/stay in the background.
Examples of in the background in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And there was the famous post-derby photo on the Stadium of Light pitch in January 2024, capturing the 6,000 Newcastle supporters in the background, celebrating the 3-0 FA Cup triumph over Sunderland, their rivals.
—
Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
The shot is in black and white, inside the White House’s Yellow Oval Room, and the Washington Monument is seen in the background through the window.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Yeah, there’s quite a lot of big questions and subjects that this film has in the background.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
This will either be included in the lower corner of an image or be embedded in the background.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
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.
Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
The shot is in black and white, inside the White House’s Yellow Oval Room, and the Washington Monument is seen in the background through the window.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Yeah, there’s quite a lot of big questions and subjects that this film has in the background.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
This will either be included in the lower corner of an image or be embedded in the background.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the background
Cite this Entry
“In the background.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20background. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share