back seat
noun
ˈbak-ˈsēt 
variants or less commonly backseat
1
: a seat in the back (as of an automobile)
2
: a secondary or inferior position
… the issues and concerns that have sometimes been given a back seat …
Al Gore
see also take a back seat Al Gore
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The doctrine of art for art’s sake, the idea that aesthetic values alone should guide their operations, is increasingly taking a back seat to political ideology. Eric Gibson, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 But while Amazon and Apple are firmly in control of their own destinies with Prime and Apple One, Paramount is taking a back seat to Walmart with the Walmart+ deal. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 The chicken version is not that different from its beefy brother, with the patty itself taking a back seat in a minivan of flavors driven by the toppings (although the crisp patty does add a nice textural contrast that the regular burger does not). Emily Heil, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Unlike most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Arkansas Online, 24 July 2022 Are the social sciences and the arts and humanities taking a back seat to health professions, business majors and other applied fields? Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Unlike with most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Unlike most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Nicole Winfield, ajc, 23 July 2022 All in all, after eight months away from the national team, Morgan might ultimately be taking a back seat to the next generation of American soccer talent. Marisa Ingemi, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 July 2022 See More
Eric Gibson, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 But while Amazon and Apple are firmly in control of their own destinies with Prime and Apple One, Paramount is taking a back seat to Walmart with the Walmart+ deal. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 The chicken version is not that different from its beefy brother, with the patty itself taking a back seat in a minivan of flavors driven by the toppings (although the crisp patty does add a nice textural contrast that the regular burger does not). Emily Heil, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 Unlike most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Arkansas Online, 24 July 2022 Are the social sciences and the arts and humanities taking a back seat to health professions, business majors and other applied fields? Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Unlike with most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Unlike most papal trips, diplomatic protocols are taking a back seat to personal encounters with First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors. Nicole Winfield, ajc, 23 July 2022 All in all, after eight months away from the national team, Morgan might ultimately be taking a back seat to the next generation of American soccer talent. Marisa Ingemi, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1