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second banana

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noun Informal.
a comic who supports the leading comedian, often as a straight man, especially in burlesque or vaudeville.
any person who plays a secondary role or serves in a subsidiary capacity.
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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Compare top banana.

Origin of second banana

First recorded in 1950–55

Words nearby second banana

secondary tissue, secondary wall, secondary wave, secondary xylem, second ballot, second banana, second base, second baseman, second best, Second Birth, second blessing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to second banana

assistant, chorus, deputy, runnerup, second fiddle, second string, substitute

Other Idioms and Phrases with second banana

second banana

see under top banana.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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