| Subject | English | Russian |
| proverb | it needs more skill than I can tell to play the second fiddle well | хлопотно тому, кто второй в дому |
| fig. | play second fiddle to | находиться в тени (кого-либо • I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John.) |
| uncom., context. | play second fiddle to | компенсироваться (чем-либо • The slightly underwhelming looks play second fiddle to the functionality.  recombu.com 4uzhoj) |
| fig. | play second fiddle to | играть вторую скрипку при (ком-либо В.И.Макаров) |