take a back seat
Let others lead
To take a back seat is to assume a less prominent or influential position, letting others lead or take priority.
The image is literal—sitting in the rear while someone else drives: After the merger, the founder took a back seat to the new CEO.
Often implies voluntary or reluctant withdrawal from control: My career took a back seat once we had kids.
Lesser in rank
- supporting roleMinor character in production
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
- passiveNot actively participating
- minor roleSmall part in production
sidelined · backseat driver · overshadowed · peripheral · second fiddle · behind the scenes · low priority · afterthought
Produce or relinquish
- step asideWithdraw from a position
- stand downWithdraw from readiness
- wait your turnDefer to those ahead
- give wayCollapse or relent
hold off · bow out · sit out · withdraw · recede · stand aside · let go
secondary
Lesser in rank
- supporting roleMinor character in production
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
- passiveNot actively participating
minor role · sidelined · backseat driver · overshadowed · peripheral · second fiddle · behind the scenes · low priority · afterthought · nonessential
yield
Produce or relinquish
- step asideWithdraw from a position
- stand downWithdraw from readiness
- wait your turnDefer to those ahead
give way · hold off · bow out · sit out · withdraw · recede · stand aside · let go
take a back seattake charge
Begin leading a situation
take the lead · take the wheel · take the reins · call the shots · run the show
take a back seattake center stage
Become the main attraction
steal the show · stand out · come to the fore · make a splash · grab the headlines
take, back, seat, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, intake