Play second fiddle

Definitions

take a subordinate role
To be in a position of lesser importance or to play a supporting role rather than a leading one
be overlooked or undervalued
To feel unappreciated or overshadowed by someone else

Examples of Play second fiddle

In their old age, my grandparents stopped hosting lavish dinner parties and now my aunt, who used to help my grandmother in the kitchen, plays second fiddle to her.

In this example, the idiom "play second fiddle" is used to convey that my aunt's role in organizing and preparing meals for my grandparents has become secondary to my grandmother's role, as my grandmother has taken over the majority of the responsibilities. The phrase "play second fiddle" implies that my aunt is still present and involved, but her role has diminished in comparison to my grandmother's.
The singer's backup vocalist, who was equally talented, played second fiddle to her lead performances.

This idiom is used to describe a situation where one person, in this case, the backup vocalist, is supporting another person, in this case, the main singer, but is not as prominent or recognized as the lead performer. It can also be used to describe a situation where someone is in a position of supporting or assisting another person, whether in music or in other areas of life.
Jenna's younger sister, who was also a talented writer, played second fiddle to her older sister's successful career as a published author.

This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where one person, in this case, Jenna's younger sister, is supporting or assisting another person, in this case, her older sister, but is not as well-known or recognized as the more successful sibling.
Although the rival team had a good fight, our team played second fiddle to their dominance in the final match.

This example describes a situation where two teams are competing, but one team, in this case, our team, is not as successful or dominant as the other team, in this case, the rival team, in the final match.
Sarah's hobby of painting, which she enjoyed immensely, played second fiddle to her demanding career as a doctor.

This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone has multiple interests or commitments, but one item, in this case, Sarah's career as a doctor, takes priority over another, in this case, her hobby of painting.
In the new band, Sarah plays the drums while Emily sings lead vocals. Sarah enjoys playing in the band, but she knows she's playing second fiddle to Emily.

The idiom "play second fiddle" means to take a supporting role, to be less important or less prominent than someone else. In this example, Sarah is supporting Emily, who is the lead singer and the more prominent member of the band. The metaphor of playing a musical instrument is used to illustrate this idea.
As the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump has a high-profile career in business and media. However, while she's successful in her own right, she's still playing second fiddle to her father, who is the president of the United States.

In this example, the idiom is used to mean that while Ivanka Trump is accomplished, she's still less important or less prominent than her father, who holds a much more significant position.
In the movie, Meryl Streep delivers a stunning performance as the lead actress. However, she's playing second fiddle to the cinematography, which is so breathtaking it steals the scene from her.

In this example, "play second fiddle" means to be outshined or overshadowed by something else. Here, it's the cinematography that's taking center stage, while Meryl Streep's performance is still impressive, but less noticeable by comparison.

Conclusion

The idiom "play second fiddle" is often used to describe a situation where someone is in a subordinate role or feels overlooked. It can be used in both a literal sense, such as in a musical ensemble where the second violinist plays a supporting role to the first violinist, or in a more figurative sense, such as in a work or social setting where someone feels undervalued or overshadowed by another person. The idiom can convey a sense of frustration or dissatisfaction with being in a lesser position.

Origin of "Play second fiddle"

The origin of the idiom "play second fiddle" can be traced back to the world of music. In an orchestra, the first violinist holds the lead role, while the second violinist plays a supporting role. The idiom likely originated from this literal meaning, and over time, it has been adopted into everyday language to describe situations where someone is in a subordinate position.

The idiom has been used in English since at least the 18th century, and it continues to be a commonly used expression today. It effectively captures the feeling of being in a lesser role or being overlooked, making it a versatile and relatable phrase in everyday conversation.