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

But the home streak now takes a back seat to NSU’s pursuit of what would be its second national championship in three years. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025

And while he's been productive, he's taken a back seat to Puka Nacua. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025

Pedantic pigeonholing of body style will probably take a back seat to discussion of the front grille, though. —Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025

One key reason: In North Carolina’s overwhelmed courts, speeding charges often take a back seat to offenses that prosecutors view as more serious. —Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 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