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 other side: OpenAI, for its part, rejects the idea that safety is taking a back seat. —Ina Fried, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024

As the holiday season nears, classic cocktails take a back seat to festive beverages designed to match the joy and warmth of the celebrations. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Mental health services take a back seat to the funding of new weapons and overseas operations. —Kendall McElwee, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024

The Joker’s exploits as a passer take a back seat to nobody who has ever played the game. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above