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

In contrast, professional drivers, which traditionally focus on concrete metrics such as cost, product features and service efficiency, are taking a back seat. —Paula Chiocchi, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Back in Edinburgh, Pen’s parents’ past temporarily takes a back seat. —Eleanor Dunn, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Lockett, right, has willingly taken a back seat to Smith-Njigba, center, this season. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

The battle in Yemen has often taken a back seat to other explosive, roiling conflicts in the Middle East. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above