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

Known worldwide for her dominance on the tennis court, Serena initially focused all her energy on her game, with financial matters taking a back seat. —Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

But in a sprint toward the playoffs in the final third of the season, concerns about wearing Green down take a back seat. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025

My pain was in the driver’s seat, and everything else took a back seat. —Erin Clack, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025

The mini-tournament Sunday did have some moments of inspired basketball, but the basketball itself seemed to take a back seat to a variety show of sorts. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 17 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