second fiddle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unilever’s food unit has long played second fiddle to personal care.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 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
He delivered an extraordinary response to talk about his methods, including one answer that lasted seven minutes, as the game itself played second fiddle to the Frenchman and his job security.
From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026
I played a sort of second fiddle to him, then, for he was president of the class in his senior year and was voted the most popular man in it.
From That Affair at Elizabeth by Stevenson, Burton Egbert
