second fiddle

noun
1.
a secondary role:
to play second fiddle to another person.
2.
a person serving in a subsidiary capacity, especially to one immediately superior.
Origin
1825-35
Examples from the web for second fiddle
  • But here his role is limited, too often leaving him playing second fiddle to this film's weirdly hypnotic special effects.
  • But one thing that strikes me is that my smartness seems to play second fiddle.
  • Sunnis have to accept that as the minority sect they will play second fiddle.
  • Business or strategic interests may also on their agenda, but are playing second fiddle.
  • Newcomers don't play second fiddle to the genre's.
  • She quieted talk that her multiple outside interests would mean playing second fiddle to more dedicated peers.
  • Swimming trunks and sunscreen play second fiddle to backpacks and protractors.
  • They've certainly been second fiddle to the warlords' armies.
  • Geodetic leveling has always played second fiddle to horizontal surveys.
British Dictionary definitions for second fiddle

second fiddle

noun (informal)
1.
  1. the second violin in a string quartet or one of the second violins in an orchestra
  2. the musical part assigned to such an instrument
2.
a secondary status
3.
a person who has a secondary status
Slang definitions & phrases for second fiddle

second fiddle

adjective

: a sort of second-fiddle appointment

noun

A person or thing that is not the most favored, the best, the leader, etc: definitely second fiddle before the Convention started (1809+)

Related Terms

play second fiddle


Idioms and Phrases with second fiddle

second fiddle

see: play second fiddle