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play second fiddle

To play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.

Etymology:

  • From the second violin in an orchestra.
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“

I think the VP got tired of playing second fiddle to the president, so if she's not promoted soon, she might leave.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'play second fiddle':

Play Second FiddleTo be subservient to someone, to follow someone or something
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to play second fiddle

play old harryplay the giddy goatplay possumplay one against anotherplay outplay the fieldplay the gender cardplay possumplay the fieldplay someone like a fiddleplay old harryplay the hand one is dealtplay on wordsplay one's cards right

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