second fiddle
Not the star
Second fiddle is a subordinate or supporting role, from the orchestral section that plays harmony rather than melody.
To play second fiddle is to be less important than someone else: She was tired of playing second fiddle to her older sister.
The phrase usually carries a note of resentment or dissatisfaction with one's lesser position.
Subordinate adventure partner
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- juniorLower in standing
assistant · follower · acolyte · minion · henchman · right-hand · number two · lackey
Surpassed or obscured
- outshoneExceeded in brilliance
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- marginalizedPushed to society's edges
upstaged · outperformed · dimmed · backstage · unsung · uncelebrated · underappreciated · undervalued
Ready substitute awaiting use
- alternateOccur in succession
- reserveSupply kept back
- substituteReplacement for another
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
replacement · backup · relief · benchwarmer · spare · pinch hitter · understudy
Stored duplicate for recovery
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- supporting roleMinor character in production
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
counterpoint · duet · accompaniment · backing · complementary · assist · partner · collaborator
sidekick
Subordinate adventure partner
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
junior · assistant · follower · acolyte · minion · henchman · right-hand · number two · lackey · flunky
eclipsed
Surpassed or obscured
- outshoneExceeded in brilliance
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
marginalized · upstaged · outperformed · dimmed · backstage · unsung · uncelebrated · underappreciated · undervalued · unrecognized
standby
Ready substitute awaiting use
- alternateOccur in succession
- reserveSupply kept back
- substituteReplacement for another
stand-in · replacement · backup · relief · benchwarmer · spare · pinch hitter · understudy
backup
Stored duplicate for recovery
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- supporting roleMinor character in production
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
harmony · counterpoint · duet · accompaniment · backing · complementary · assist · partner · collaborator · contributor
- inferiorinferior, substandard, subpar, low-grade, lesser
- secondarybackup plan, plan B, alternate, substitute, reserve
- Hierarchy termspecking order, junior, chain of command, totem pole, inferior
- small frysmall fry, small-fry, pipsqueak, little guy, nobody
- supporting rolessidekick, supporting act, understudy, understudies, stand-in
- backup rolesvice president, deputy, understudy, backup singer, reserve player
second fiddlelead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
leader · top dog · number one · first fiddle · head honcho
second fiddlecenter of attention
Who everyone notices most
star of the show · leading role · protagonist · main event · headline act
second fiddlestar
Luminous astronomical object
leading role · protagonist · main attraction · center of attention · focal point
second, fiddle, secondary, secondhand, seconds, fiddling, fiddled, fiddler, secondarily