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 whoever is elected April 15 could end up choosing to take a back seat on a two-year budget that city leaders are expected to finalize before July. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025

Finding Purpose Beyond Ownership The transition period offers an opportunity to explore interests that may have taken a back seat during your years of business ownership. —Rem Oculee, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

Another notable shift in the visitation numbers: Perennial No. 1 favorite Blue Ridge Parkway took a back seat to a popular area in Northern California in 2024. —Cnn, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025

Ralph Fiennes stars as a cardinal in desperate need of a stress ball as the man running the conclave after the pontiff's sudden death, and his crisis of faith takes a back seat to all the candidates of different political and social stripes gunning to run the church. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 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