play second fiddle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Ghost Elephants” is a Werner Herzog film so, unsurprisingly, the titular characters play second fiddle to a man on an arduous quest, with fascinating digressions along the way.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Words play second fiddle to the many stunning photographs of a seemingly ageless Ms. Parton in “Star of the Show.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026
It simultaneously makes me sad to think of robbing him of something that makes him feel good about himself, but also really bugs me that he expects me to just play second fiddle.
From Slate • Jan. 11, 2024
For that matter, the ACC doesn’t seem inclined to play second fiddle to other Power Five conferences despite nearly being left behind in a summer of realignment and internal discontent.
From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2023
With this woman he was always subdued, always made to play second fiddle, always talked like a boy; and he knew it.
From Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite by Trollope, Anthony
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
