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
NewsweekThat'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 toPhil TaylorPhysically and emotionally, these guys take a back seat to no one.—Mark Vancil
Mark VancilExamples of take a back seat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gold and zinc deposits eventually took a back seat to Leadville’s dominant metal: silver.
—James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
But as long as the determined business owner can pay their bills, accounting can, at least initially, take a back seat when a company is small.
—Vlad Rusz, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
That primal, guttural competitiveness takes over, and sometimes, unfortunately, emotional intelligence takes a back seat.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller has been at the center of Vance's debate practices, along with Usha Vance, Vance's wife, who has largely taken a back seat publicly on the campaign trail.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for take a back seat 
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James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
But as long as the determined business owner can pay their bills, accounting can, at least initially, take a back seat when a company is small.
—Vlad Rusz, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
That primal, guttural competitiveness takes over, and sometimes, unfortunately, emotional intelligence takes a back seat.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller has been at the center of Vance's debate practices, along with Usha Vance, Vance's wife, who has largely taken a back seat publicly on the campaign trail.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for take a back seat
Dictionary Entries Near take a back seat
Cite this Entry
“Take a back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20back%20seat. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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