second fiddle

American  

noun

1. a person or thing filling a secondary role, especially to one immediately superior (often used attributively): That new copycat seafood restaurant will never be more than a second fiddle to ours.

   He has a certain strength and humility that comes from being in a second-fiddle position for years.

   That new copycat seafood restaurant will never be more than a second fiddle to ours.

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idioms

1. play second fiddle, to act in a secondary role.

   She's tired of playing second fiddle to her egomaniacal teammate.

second fiddle British  

noun

1. 1. the second violin in a string quartet or one of the second violins in an orchestra

   2. the musical part assigned to such an instrument

2. a secondary status

3. a person who has a secondary status

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second fiddle More Idioms  

1. see play second fiddle.

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Etymology

Origin of second fiddle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Unilever’s food unit has long played second fiddle to personal care.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

“Ghost Elephants” is a Werner Herzog film so, unsurprisingly, the titular characters play second fiddle to a man on an arduous quest, with fascinating digressions along the way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Tesla might end up playing second fiddle to another Elon Musk company on its own earnings call.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

For generations City played second fiddle in their own backyard to United, but they have ruled the roost over their local rivals since Alex Ferguson departed Old Trafford in 2013.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Do you think Marjorie is going to play second fiddle to a new mother?

From Neighbours by Stead, Robert J. C.