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

The circumstances led to Edwards taking a back seat to Curry, Durant and LeBron James, but that didn’t stop him from showing off his true self — or slow his swagger — at practice. —Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 5 May 2025

At what cost? Elon Musk takes a back seat as Trump reaches 100 days in office. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

LeBron James James takes a back seat to his new teammate this time around, coming in third. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

While the last quarter’s earnings always take a back seat to future guidance, this season's situation will be even more extreme, with investors trying to determine the upcoming earnings bite from the tariffs and any retaliation. —Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 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