to play a secondary or minor role with regards to someone else
to be regarded as less important or be in a weak position when compared to someone else
to be a subordinate to someone or take a backseat when it concerns that person
Sheila was determined to be the star of the show and she was not going to play second fiddle to anyone.
Martha is always in her sister’s shadow, playing second fiddle to her every time.
After the star guest didn’t turn up, John was chosen to play second fiddle.
The new boy band is distinct and determined not to play second fiddle to any other group.
I will never play a second fiddle to my sister.
There is no origin for this idiom
Was this page helpful?
definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.