| fig. |
to play a supporting or minor role in relation to someone else (In an orchestra, the position of second violinist (fiddle) is not as glamorous as that of first violinist: Tired of playing second fiddle, she resigned and started her own company.  dictionary.com); to be in a supporting or subservient role to someone else (from an orchestra in which the first violinist holds the most important position thefreedictionary.com); to have a subordinate, lesser, or smaller role, position, or part (in something: I'm really sick of playing second fiddle to this ignoramus—I'm the one who deserves to be the star of the show! • Because I wasn't willing to play office politics, I never got the big promotion and have been playing second fiddle ever since. thefreedictionary.com); to be in a subordinate position to someone (I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John. I'm better trained than he, and I have more experience. • I shouldn't always play second fiddle. thefreedictionary.com); assume a subsidiary role to someone (This term alludes to the part of second violin in an orchestra. Although many would argue it is as important as first violin, it is the idea of subordinacy that was transferred in the figurative term, so used since about 1800: Mary resented always playing second fiddle to her older sister. thefreedictionary.com); have a lower or less important position than another person (She wants to be the boss, not play second fiddle to somebody else. thefreedictionary.com); if someone or something plays second fiddle to someone or something else, they are less important than them (A fiddle is a violin. The expression here refers to the first and second violins in an orchestra: There is some resentment among health professionals at having to play second fiddle in the new structure. • Both of these cities play second fiddle to London on the international stage. Note: You can also just say that someone is second fiddle: I think Caryl would have to admit that we're no longer second fiddle to our American cousins. thefreedictionary.com); to have to accept that you are less important than someone else (The 44-year-old senator will play second fiddle to a man who has been his junior in the Democrat hierarchy. • Face up to what you know in your heart because you deserve more than to play second fiddle to her. • He is humble, as unused to talking about himself as anyone would be having happily played second fiddle to a lippy front man. collinsdictionary.com) |
