play second fiddle
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Take subordinate role.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Euphemism (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “play second fiddle” mean?
Take subordinate role.
Is “play second fiddle” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.