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
The original photo that Walz shared on social media did not include the racist figurine in the background.
—
Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The buzz around fashion resale and rental has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the businesses themselves have been plugging away in the background, refining their approaches.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 8 Jan. 2025
In the clip, Mathison walks down a path that appears to be outside of where the home once stood as orange skies and billowing smoke are visible in the background.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Snow is falling; spa music plays in the background.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in the background 
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Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The buzz around fashion resale and rental has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the businesses themselves have been plugging away in the background, refining their approaches.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 8 Jan. 2025
In the clip, Mathison walks down a path that appears to be outside of where the home once stood as orange skies and billowing smoke are visible in the background.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Snow is falling; spa music plays in the background.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for in the background
Dictionary Entries Near 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 21 Jan. 2025.
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